As a former program manager of a community leadership program I often asked our guest speakers to define leadership. I usually received some warm and fluffy textbook remarks about skills, traits and styles – followed by some cold stares. There was always something missing and everyone was seeking the same answer – including the speaker. Why is it so difficult to define and quantify leadership? What are the missing links?

I believe that employee engagement surveys needs to be viewed in a different light. An Employee Engagement Survey is a leadership tool that empowers leaders by providing them with insightful data and the opportunity for healthy dialog. Data that will generate conversations that improve employee engagement. Otherwise, leaders are mostly reacting to, and are talking about, employee disengagement.

Margie Warrell does a great job defining a strategic path towards improving employee engagement. Engage — Connect Authentically. Inspire — Enlarge the Context. Embolden – Cultivate a ‘Culture of Courage’

The right employee engagement survey adds a fundamental component in the process of “how to” improve employee engagement. Similar to a visit to the doctor, how can you expect leadership and managers to train and develop, mentor, retain employees, manage performance, and provide healthy reviews - if you don’t measure first and then align engagement training for the best results?

Excellent article by Marcel Schwantes that defines many of the “what’s & why’s” of leadership. While many agree on practicing accountability; creating transparency; confronting reality; clarifying expectations and listening first -- many do not understand the “how to” component.

Tom Amell, President & CEO of Pioneer Bank answers questions about his leadership style, employee engagement, and how Pioneer as a company keeps the focus on its employees.

Evolve’s Employee Engagement program puts the “how” into leadership development and creates a competitive advantage for your company.

Evolve Performance Group CEO Jeff Tobaben will be speaking at the Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues next Thursday, May 12th, in Houston, Texas. Jeff's presentation, Not All Engagement Surveys are Created Equal, will discuss common mistakes when deciding on an engagement program as well as best practices that can save your company money and ensure a successful survey. In addition he will discuss effective and ineffective survey questions along with the business impact of engagement.

Houston, Spring & Klein, Champions TX –– The Houston Northwest Chamber is pleased to announce the launch of a new program designed to provide small to medium businesses and teams with the tools and advantages that corporations enjoy regularly. The Chamber has partnered with Chamber member Evolve Performance Group (Evolve PG), an international consulting and training firm that uses unique survey instruments to produce useful data to drive organizational results. The program is comprised of a co...