UK businesses struggle to motivate and engage their employees. New research suggests that they are overlooking the most important cause of workplace dissatisfaction. A study by Cognassist of 2,000 UK workers revealed that one fifth (19%) are doing the minimum amount at work because their cognitive and skills strengths are not being used or recognised.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of people feel that they don’t have the opportunity to use their skills. Without a connection between what you excel at and what you are asked to accomplish, motivation suffers: 67% claim they are not as productive as they should be.
The Gen Z, soon to be the biggest cohort in the workplace, is most at risk. 65% of respondents said their cognitive abilities are not being utilized properly and 28% have already quit quietly as a consequence. Just 2 out of 10 people are satisfied with their jobs, and 84% believe that employers do not provide enough opportunities for professional development. Businesses who don’t take action now risk having a workforce which is unmotivated and unproductive. They also run the risk of losing more employees.
The survey revealed that, despite the obvious link between cognitive alignment (or aligning your thinking) and engagement, businesses fail to provide employees with the necessary tools to maximize their potential. 88% of employees never took a cognitive assessment to determine their strengths. Yet 64% of them believe that their organization would be more effective if their colleagues and they had a better grasp of each other’s abilities and working styles.
Chris Quickfall is the CEO and founder at Cognassist. He says that employees are not quitting their jobs because they are lazy or do not want to work. It’s more likely that workplaces don’t allow them to contribute in a way that matches their strengths. Many businesses still rely upon blanket engagement strategies which fail to match people’s strengths and the right work.
Cognitive mapping can help HR teams maintain a motivated work environment. Understanding how employees work and think best can help us unlock greater motivation, productivity and retention. A happy workforce is productive, and that comes from more than just perks and cultural initiatives. “We all want to be valued for our strengths and do meaningful work – that’s what drives workers today.”
Businesses that do not take advantage of the cognitive diversity in their workforce, will continue to suffer from quiet quittings and reduced productivity. Rethinking how to support employees, and ensuring they can use their strengths effectively, will help organisations build a motivated workforce.
Cognassist is a powerful tool for businesses that want to act. It provides cognitive insights to help organisations understand how employees learn, think and perform. This helps them drive productivity, inclusivity and workplace success. View a recent webinar on how cognition can help you solve the productivity puzzle.
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