change management process change management plan
"Engagement is not an attitude; it is the degree to which an individual is attentive and absorbed in the performance of their roles (Saks, 2006)."
Twenty-one years ago I unexpectedly found myself in the world of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) when my son was born 4-months premature; weighing one-pound ten-ounces. I had no idea that such a place existed. The terrifying and ominous environment only added to my feelings of disengagement and inadequacy as a mother. Once the initial shock diminished, however, I was eager to parent my child; no matter the environment. But much to my surprise I received little support in my engagement pursuit. After several wary attempts in asking for clarification on medical terminology I was frustrated. The NICU staff was unable to answer my questions in laymen terms and ultimately labeled me as a difficult parent because I wouldn't stop asking and yes, even demanding answers that I could understand.
In the early 90's the NICU had many rules, regulations and policies that inadvertently discouraged parent-infant bonding and engagement. We were treated as visitors, not parents. There were visiting hours with a limit on the number of visitors; all visitors had to leave when the doctors made their rounds even if it was during the approved visiting hours; there was little privacy since all of the Issolets were gathered in one large brightly lit area; and, you couldn't touch your baby and no one would dare ask.... unless you were like me and labeled a difficult parent. (Later this week, I'll be discussing difficult people and how to deal with us.)
As parents we had no ascribed role within the NICU of which we could identify. Other than written directives such as a "DNR: Do Not Resuscitate," parents were not a part of the process or included in the discussions of how care would be provided. Now understand that parents were not asking or even assuming to want a role as a part of the medical tea m but rather a partnership in which our position (role) as parents were recognized, respected and valued.
Parents have autonomy to make decisions about the welfare of their children. And adults have autonomy on the decisions regarding their bodies, minds and well-being. Recently, I became acutely aware of several barriers inadvertently created by wellness programs in which employees appeared to be simply "visitors." Much like the NICU parents in the 90's, I see employees who are not engaged but rather enraged by their lack of inclusion in the decisions of how wellness is being provided, promoted and regarded. These employees are unaware of their role and are therefore disengaged. This appears to support evidence that an employee's degree of engagement depends on the role in question (Rothbard, 2001) and how the company provides economic and socioemotional resources. Therefore, these employees are most likely disengaged from not only the wellness program but in their wo rk roles as well.
One way to over-come the "visitor" position is to include all employees in pre-program surveys and focus groups. This affords them the opportunity to share their opinions which ultimately suggest that what they have to say is meaningful to the company. It's equally important to then share the results of all surveys and allow additional input and ideally other opportunities to have an active role in the planning and implementation process as well as program evaluations (outcomes).
References:
Rothbard, N.P. (2001), "Enriching or depleting? The dynamics of engagement in work and family roles", Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 46, pp. 655-684.
Sak, A.M. (2006), Antecedents and consequences of employee engagement", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 21, pp. 600-619.
Denise Campbell is a Ph.D.(c),MSPH, CHES and a health and wellness behavioral strategist working with corporations, small businesses and wellness pr actitioners.
Denise also creates wellness programs that help people break through the invisible forces of beliefs, behaviors and biology to lose weight and enjoy life without struggling or suffering. For more helpful tips on how to use your biology to lose weight check out http://www.theinvisible-diet.com/