This document outlines 5 guidelines for creating an engaged workplace called a "WOWplace": 1) It is safe, where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas without fear. 2) It is respectful, where respect is earned through words and actions rather than job titles. 3) It is human, where leaders connect with employees as people rather than "humanoids." 4) It is innovative and fun, allowing creativity and fun. 5) It is rewarding, with various rewards beyond money to show appreciation. Following these guidelines can help turn a workplace where people work for a paycheck into a WOWplace where people love to go to make a difference.

1. Leaders: Want to
Engage Your
Employees?
THESE 5 GUIDELINES CAN HELP

2. Turn Your Workplace Into a WOWplace®!
Introducing The WOWplace Rules:
5 Rules for Higher Engagement
A Workplace is a place
where EMPLOYEES
HAVE to go because they
make a PAYCHECK
A WOWplace is a place
where PEOPLE
LOVE to go because they
make a DIFFERENCE

3. Rule #1: A WOWplace is SAFE
Many experts agree that now, in the Information
Age, there is a huge competitive advantage to be
found in the tacit knowledge of your people.
Leaders must make it SAFE for them to share their
knowledge, ideas and suggestions.

4. They won’t share if they don’t feel safe…
Safe from ridicule/
embarrassment
Safe from
retribution/retaliation
Safe from having their
ideas stolen
Safe from being
ingnored/dismissed
You’re
FIRED!

5. …even SAFE from overload…
…if you DO like their ideas!

6. Ask yourself:
Are our employees TRYING
TO SUCCEED… or simply TRYING NOT TO FAIL?
There is a BIG
DIFFERENCE
between these
two mindsets!

7. Rule #2: A WOWplace is RESPECTFUL
WOW Leaders don’t DEMAND respect through
their titles…
They COMMAND it through their words and
actions.

8. Respect is earned…
…and RE-EARNED every day!
 Eye Contact
 Being fully present
 Paying attention when people are talking to you
 Keeping your word
 Being honest and fair (no favoritism)
 Acting with integrity
 … and many more subtle ways to show respect!

9. Rule #3: A WOWplace is HUMAN… not HUMANOID
Remember the sales rule: People buy
from people they know, like and trust.
Apply it to leadership: People engage
with people they know, like and trust.
If you’re not “human” enough to
engage with them, how can they get to
know and like you enough to trust
you?

10. Understand the human need to connect and share
Don’t be UN-authentic when you do it… and don’t suddenly
change into a different person.
But you can:
 Share a brief story from your life or career to connect
with them or teach a point
 Learn, remember and use their names
 Remember and ask about special events and details of
their lives
 Praise/thank them for a job well done
Thanks!
WOW…
he
noticed!

11. The best way to eliminate the “Us vs. Them” mentality…
… is to show them how like us they really are!
It’s easy to hate the “big, bad corporate entity.”
It’s not so easy to hate a relatable, human leader who
cares about his/her people.

12. Rule #4: A WOWplace is INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE and FUN!
Allow people to break the status quo!
 Don’t feel threatened by new ideas
 Encourage collaboration and brainstorming
 Occasionally break down the silos between
departments so they can work better together
 Eliminate the excuses that hold you back:
 “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”
 “That’s been tried before and it didn’t work.”

13. T
Allow them to have some fun!
People rarely succeed unless they’re
having fun at what they’re doing.
- Dale Carnegie

14. Rule #5: A WOWplace is REWARDING
There are many kinds of rewards in the workplace …
and many of them don’t involve money!
 Thank you (verbal or written, especially hand-
written)
 Surprise time off
 Flexibility during times of crisis
 Promotion/raise
 Conference, training
 Gift card (to somewhere THEY like)
 Certificate
 Awards ceremonies
 Special parking space
 … and many more ideas… Be CREATIVE!!

15. Other rewards are important!
If we don’t want the paycheck to be the SOLE
reason people come to work…
…then we can’t rely on the paycheck as the SOLE
reward we offer for them to be there.

16. Many leaders delude themselves
They think: “Hey! I’m paying you good money to do your job… that should be enough!”
But human nature tells us that it’s not enough.
The work environment often matters much more than the paycheck.
Don’t believe it?
Just think back to a time when you finally left a job, saying,
“The pay is fine (or even great!) – but it’s just not worth it!”
People need to know they matter
and that what they do makes a difference.
They also need to know their efforts are appreciated.
So, the paycheck alone is not enough to keep them there –
and engaged.

17. BONUS
Guideline
Consistency is everything!
You can’t show up as
Dr. Jekyll one day and
Mr. Hyde the next.
Keep control of your:
 Actions
 Words
 Emotions

18. … but when you’re a leader,
you need to strive for
perfection, especially in the
area of consistency.
You don’t
have to be
perfect…

19. Sandy Geroux delivers motivational keynotes and training
programs on creating WOW experiences to help “Turn Your
Workplace Into a WOWplace®.”
Sandy’s programs for leaders help them master leadership
skills and strengthen relationships with their teams.
Her programs for team members and support staff inspire
them to go the extra mile to find hidden WOW’s that add
up to exceptional experiences for customers and co-
workers.
Sandy has helped over 25,000 attendees in 125 companies
find ways to encourage creativity, tap into employees’
hidden/underutilized talents and interests, and create a
culture of respect and service.
Attendees describe her dynamic speaking style as
enthusiastic, energetic and extremely motivating!
International speaker,
trainer, and author
Sandy Geroux, M.S.
Leadership Bingo™
Sandy’s proprietary new leadership assessment tool
that plays like a game and works like a charm!
www.LeadershipBingo.com
Visit www.theWOWplace.com for more information!
E-mail: sandy@thewowplace.com ~ 407-856-1188