MICHAEL JOHNSON & SARAH STEVENSON
Employee engagement is a critical driver of performance and job satisfaction across all industries. The housing sector is no exception. Engagement refers to the emotional and psychological alignment that an employee has towards their organisation. In a sector like housing, which often grapples with shifting government policies and the rising demand for affordable homes, fostering strong employee engagement is critical for achieving organisational goals and ensuring staff retention.
The housing sector is unique in that it directly impacts communities and individuals by providing one of the most fundamental of human needs… shelter. Employees working in housing organisations, be it housing associations, local councils, or private housing providers, are typically driven by a social purpose. With millennials and Gen Zed’ers now increasingly populating the workforce, individuals whose career anchors and motivations correlate with social purpose more than any other, continuous engagement is the crucial factor for improved colleague and customer satisfaction.
What can Housing organisations do?
So, what can drive higher levels of employee engagement in the housing sector? First and foremost, culture will play a significant role. Each provider fosters their own ways of working, but a supportive culture that encourages collaboration, continuous development, and recognises the efforts and wellbeing of its workforce, will develop an engaging environment. In housing, many employees interact daily with vulnerable individuals. Therefore, a culture of care and respect at every level within the provider’s organisation will impact how motivated employees feel within their roles and influence positive behaviours and attitudes towards colleagues and tenants.
Secondly, effective leadership will continue to be a critical component. Leaders who demonstrate transparency, communicate effectively, and provide clear direction and purpose, inspire higher levels of engagement. In housing organisations, employees often face complex challenges related to housing shortages, tenant management, and policy changes. Strong leadership that role-models best practise in these areas will help their teams to navigate these challenges and push employee engagement levels to ever increasing levels.
Lastly, career development opportunities and pathways are vitally important in promoting employee engagement. In the housing sector, professional advancement is necessary to ensure well run organisations and to enable teams to keep up with the evolving nature of housing policies, regulations, and best practices. Offering development opportunities, such as leadership development programs and coaching, helps employees to feel valued and respected. This, in turn, will likely increase their commitment to the organisation, as well as fostering a greater connection with their employers.
Why is it so much more important in Housing?
It is important to consider some of the harsh realities of working within the housing sector. Resource constraints are often a significant barrier to investing in the components that determine a highly engaged workforce. Many social housing providers operate on tight budgets, while employees are expected to navigate heavy workloads and increased demand for services. Additionally, social housing providers are becoming increasingly matrixed businesses. They’re getting bigger, product ranges are increasing, the customer base has more diverse needs, and corporate governance is becoming more and more complex. An example of this? One particular client has now evolved into a group of over 20 businesses operating under one company!
So, what should Housing leaders focus on in such challenging environments?
At NSCG we encourage our clients to dedicate their time and energy towards things that cost nothing; communication, commitment and collaboration. Our clients have seen these ‘3 Cs’ help their leaders to bring the workforce along with them on their own collective and individual career journeys. Ensuring that a strategic narrative and a clear purpose remain at the heart of every action, allows decisions taken by leaders of housing organisations to promote engagement and navigate increased complexities – regardless of resource.
To learn more about the leadership development programmes and executive coaching NSCG provide to housing organisations request a call now. Alternatively, you can discover our suite of services for housing organisations.