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 25 Creative Employee Engagement Ideas from Leaders

Elita Torres

To uncover innovative methods for increasing employee engagement, we reached out to CEOs, founders, and other professionals for their unique strategies. From engaging remote teams with Slack channels to embracing reverse mentoring, discover 25 creative ways these experts have successfully boosted employee engagement in their companies.

Engage Remote Teams with Slack Channels

Our company is fully remote, so continual employee engagement is crucial. One low-lift but high-payoff way we’ve kept our team members connected, happy, and engaged in company culture is by creating fun and topical Slack channels to stir their outside-of-work interests. 

For example, we have #furry-friends where employees can share photos of their pets or cute critters they’ve spotted in their daily travels, a plant parent channel where coworkers can swap gardening tips, a cooking channel where foodies swap recipes and post photos of culinary creations, and a coffee shop channel where teammates post photos of their lattes and cafe working spaces as well as chill playlists. 

These channels help remote coworkers bond and make the workspace fun and personal, while also keeping employees tuned into Slack for more work-centric announcements.

Michael Alexis, CEO, teambuilding.com

Include a Flexible Rewards System

One creative way I have boosted employee engagement in my company is by introducing a flexible rewards system. A common example of this was setting up “reward points,” where employees can collect points through activities such as attending work-related courses or completing additional tasks outside of their normal job description. 

These reward points can then be exchanged for products from an online store, or experiences such as lunch with the CEO or team trips to interesting places. This innovative approach encourages employees to strive for excellence and develop more valuable skills, which in turn boosts their overall engagement with their job and the company.

Carly Hill, Operations Manager, Virtual Holiday Party

Start a “Watch Me Do This” Program

An unconventional way I have boosted employee engagement in my company is by starting a program called “Watch Me Do This.” Our staff contains a large number of professional performers who often have shows and events outside of work. 

“Watch Me Do This” provides the option of attending these events as a team outing with admission costs covered by the company. This program helps teammates learn about and support each other beyond work, which strengthens relationships. It also takes some of the lift of planning and organizing socials off of our culture committee, as they simply provide the funds rather than designing and running the event.

Tasia Duske, CEO, Museum Hack

Offer Free Products to Employees

One creative way we have boosted employee engagement in our company is by offering free products and services to our team. 

By experiencing our services firsthand, our team members gain a deeper understanding of how our products enhance our clients’ natural beauty and improve their self-confidence. This firsthand experience helps them shape better marketing strategies and create more impactful campaigns that resonate with our target audience. It fosters a sense of ownership and pride in the work they do, as they can genuinely speak to the benefits and results our products provide.

Diane Howard, Founder, Esthetic Finesse

Promote Voluntary Community Involvement

Live out your company’s core values by implementing a voluntary program encouraging employees to contribute to society. Strategize and organize high-impact voluntary activities and projects, allowing flexibility in scheduling for maximum participation. 

By making it easy for your employees to give back, you increase their commitment, foster stronger relationships, and encourage collaboration. When you have first-hand experience of your company’s community involvement, you are likelier to be loyal and committed to them. 

Volunteering shows that your company respects corporate social responsibility and inspires a sense of pride and purpose among employees. It improves communication, promotes a positive work environment, and boosts morale. Community service demonstrates your commitment to making a difference, boosting morale, and inspiring your team to strive for excellence.

Curtis Anderson, Co-founder and CEO, Nursa

Reward Good Deeds with Slack Shout-Outs

We do Slack shout-outs for good deeds. We wrote a small macro that allows anyone to send out a QBench Kudos. Each Kudos is like a raffle ticket, and at the end of the month, we do a drawing at the all-hands meeting. It’s a great way to share positive feedback across departments and make sure everyone’s contributions are visible.

Trevor Ewen, COO, QBench

Boost Engagement with Periodical Challenges

One way to improve employees’ engagement and to keep them invested in working individually and together as a team is to introduce periodic challenges, where you set them goals that they have to meet individually with each other’s support. 

Companies may introduce fitness challenges, for example, but I find that making the challenges more personal and letting the employees have autonomy—for example, setting a goal for something they consider to be self-care or adopting a technique that boosts their productivity—makes them more invested. And having the employees monitor and encourage each other improves communication at all levels as well.

Manasvini  Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service

Try the Asynchronous Work Approach

Give them more freedom. One of the things we’ve seen success with is allowing our employees to work asynchronously. We minimize live meetings and document the information we need to share through Loom videos, audio notes, and Slack messages. 

This allows our team members to complete their work when it fits best with their life and location. Because they have the opportunity to balance their work and life, they are more engaged when they’re working.

Max Ade, CEO, Pickleheads

Value and Implement Employee Ideas

We make sure our team members’ ideas are heard and implemented whenever possible! Everyone is given an outlet through which they can submit suggestions that could help improve processes inside or outside our organization– no idea is discounted without consideration! 

This allows us all to come up with creative solutions that keep employees motivated while recognizing great thinking–and oftentimes these same ideas end up being widely adopted across other departments as well!

Rick Elmore, CEO, Simply Noted

Host Virtual Happy Hours

Regardless of the office environment, there will be stressful days and situations where teams should come together and de-stress. Use this as an opportunity to engage with team members and connect. When employees feel heard, their productivity and engagement will increase in the office.

Stephanie Venn-Watson, Co-founder, fatty15

Launch a “Company Squad” Program

Here is one creative way we boosted employee engagement at GameDayr:

We launched an employee rewards and recognition program called “The GameDayr Squad.” Employees can nominate co-workers who go above and beyond by exhibiting our core values of teamwork, passion, and innovation. Nominees get highlighted on our company intranet, social media channels, and at all-company meetings. The employees with the most nominations at the end of each quarter receive a $500 reward.

This program has been hugely impactful for employee engagement for several reasons:

Overall, “The GameDayr Squad” has exceeded our expectations in driving real employee engagement.

Bowen Khong, CEO, GameDayr

Expand Roles and Develop Skills

We believe that by enhancing the skills and competencies of our employees, they become more invested in their roles and enjoy a sense of personal and professional growth. 

We once had a staff member who was a diligent first-aid instructor but had a keen interest in digital marketing. Recognizing her enthusiasm, we offered her the opportunity to attend a part-time digital marketing course. As she gained proficiency, we started involving her in related projects, thus expanding her role. 

Now, she leads our social media campaigns along with her regular duties. This strategy not only broadened her skillset but also sparked a wave of motivation among other team members, significantly boosting overall employee engagement.

Haya Subhan, General Manager, First Aid at Work Course

Maintain a Leaderboard Program

As a digital media company consisting of an all-remote team from various parts of the globe working various schedules in different departments, it can be quite a challenge to create employee engagement.

But since all team members use Slack, this year we used our “Applause” channel to launch a Leaderboard Program for our content and SEO teams, giving all writers and editors chances to win a long list of cash bonuses quarterly, monthly, and for two-week “sprints,” centering on team members who complete the highest number of articles.

We run reports to find the article that had the biggest traffic and/or revenue increase of all the pages worked on or published. And we reward the writer, copy editor, SEO editor, fact-checker, and publisher.

We’ve found this program to be a great motivational tool to engage and motivate our employees.

Michelle Robbins, Licensed Insurance Agent, Clearsurance.com

Boost Engagement with Gamification

One novel approach we’ve used to ramp up employee engagement at our business is through gamification of performance. You see, people naturally enjoy games and healthy competition, so we decided to tap into that. 

We devised a system where team members earn points for various accomplishments, like successfully completing training sessions, suggesting innovative training ideas, or simply being punctual. These points then accumulate and can be exchanged for various rewards. 

For instance, I remember a colleague of mine who used to struggle with punctuality. Once we introduced this system, Jerry became one of our most reliable staff members, not wanting to miss out on the points! This fun, game-like atmosphere has truly boosted overall motivation and productivity in our workplace.

Hafsa Unnar, Executive Assistant, On-Site First Aid Training

Hold a Monthly Prize Competition

Employees that are engaged and happy are more involved and efficient in their respective positions. It’s the management team’s job to ensure that employees are engaged and productive in their roles. One way that we have boosted engagement in our company is by having a monthly newsletter that highlights a monthly prize competition.

Not only does a little competition keep things exciting, but it also keeps employees aiming higher with their work. By offering prizes and recognition for top-notch performances, especially great prizes, employees are more likely to work harder to win.

While prize competition should not be used in lieu of valuable benefits, healthy competition motivates and inspires. At the end of every month, the winners get their prizes, but everyone is empowered to do more. At the end of every month, we see a boost in productivity and output, which speaks to the effectiveness of the prize competition itself.

Kathy Bennett, CEO and Founder, Bennett Packaging

Establish Leadership Pipelines

One creative approach we’ve implemented to boost employee engagement at our online reputation management business is establishing leadership pipelines. We believe in nurturing the potential within each individual. So, we started a program where we identify promising talent and provide them with the resources and mentorship to grow within our company. 

For instance, a junior employee showed exceptional dedication and skill. We included her in this program, assigning her a mentor and giving her challenging projects. Over time, we saw her flourish, her engagement levels soared, and she is now a team lead. This program has helped us create a culture of growth and engagement that directly contributes to our success.

Alexandru Contes, Co-founder, ReviewGrower

Make Your Office Pet-Friendly 

One creative way we have boosted employee engagement in our company is by introducing a pet-friendly office environment. We understand the significant positive impact that pets can have on employee well-being and morale.

By allowing employees to bring their furry companions to work, we create a unique and welcoming atmosphere. Pets provide natural stress relief and act as social icebreakers, encouraging interaction and camaraderie among team members. Their presence promotes a relaxed and joyful ambiance, making the office feel like a home away from home.

Our pet-friendly office initiative has not only increased employee engagement but has also positively impacted productivity and retention. It demonstrates our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive culture, where employees feel valued and appreciated, both personally and professionally.

Trey Ferro, CEO, Spot Pet Insurance

Create Passion Projects

We have been making use of this unique initiative of creating “Passion Projects” to boost employee engagement in our company for a long time. What we do is we give dedicated hours every week to employees to work on things they are professionally passionate about, but are not able to do due to lack of time; apart from the regular responsibilities. It works miraculously.

What we find out is that suddenly employees are energized, motivated, and excited. This initiative has been fostering creativity, engagement, and collaboration among employees. Everyone is excited and willing to do a little extra for what they believe in.

Each month we encourage our employees to propose a passion project aligned with their professional development and the organization’s goals. During the quarterly showcases, employees present their projects to the entire company. This fosters a sense of accomplishment, keeps everyone inspired, and boosts employee engagement.

Sandeep Kashyap, Founder, ProofHub

Introduce Innovation Days

One creative method we implemented to boost employee engagement was the introduction of “Innovation Days.” This involves setting aside one day each month where employees can work on a project of their choice that’s not part of their regular work. The only requirement is that the project should benefit the company in some way. This encourages employees to think creatively, innovate, and take ownership of new ideas. 

At the end of the day, everyone shares what they’ve worked on, fostering collaboration and a sense of achievement. This initiative has not only sparked creativity and innovation within our team, but it has also led to several improvements in our workflows and processes.

Irina Poddubnaia, CEO, Founder, TrackMage

Lead by Example

Creating a motivating work environment requires active participation and leading by example. When scheduling company activities such as sports events, lunches, or other social gatherings, it is crucial to add them to the work calendars and personally attend and engage in these events. Demonstrating your presence and active involvement sends a powerful message to your employees. It shows that you value their well-being, prioritize team bonding, and genuinely enjoy being part of the activities you organize.

By setting an example before expecting others to follow, you foster a positive culture where employees feel motivated and encouraged to join company events, knowing their presence is valued and appreciated. Unity, camaraderie, and enthusiasm are fostered, leading to a more productive and engaged workforce.

Marco Genaro Palma, Co-founder, TechNews180

Share Cultural Pillars

At Handwrytten, we have four key pillars of culture: Open Company (no BS), Play as a Team, Focus on the Customer, and Be the Change you Seek.

We increase employee engagement by having our team actively involved in sharing these pillars. Each month, a pillar is chosen and the team anonymously votes on who best exemplifies the qualities of the pillar.

Team members really enjoy positively voting on their fellow teammates.

David Wachs, Founder and CEO, Handwrytten

Have a Profit-Sharing Bonus Scheme

Having a profit-sharing bonus scheme is the best way to engage my employees. 

To illustrate, last quarter we saw a surge in profits, a portion of which was directly shared with our team. Our office administrator, for instance, got an unexpected bonus that she used to take her family on a much-needed vacation. This has not only boosted morale but also fostered a deep sense of belonging and commitment towards the company. 

Seeing their efforts tangibly contribute to the company’s success and their personal financial gain has been revolutionary.

Ben McInerney, Founder and Director, GoSolarQuotes

Foster Personal Connections 

While technology has made it much easier for colleagues to stay connected, nothing can replace the face-to-face interaction enjoyed in an office environment. 

To bridge the gap between remote employees, I encourage my team to communicate offline and establish personal connections. To do this, I have made it part of our company culture to schedule regular meetings and provide opportunities for team members to get to know each other beyond the professional level. 

Individuals can share personal stories, engage in hobbies, and even arrange meetups and outings. This helps foster team unity that can be hard to replicate when people work remotely, bridges cultural differences and reinforces a commitment to the team’s success.

Karl Robinson, CEO, Logicata

Implement the “Hello” Program

At our company, we have implemented a “Hello” program where every employee is randomly paired with another employee every week. They then have a scheduled video or voice call to discuss anything they like, from work-related matters to personal interests. 

This program promotes cross-functional collaboration, builds relationships, and helps foster a sense of community within the company. It’s been a huge success in boosting employee satisfaction and engagement, resulting in higher retention rates and increased productivity.

Tarun Saha, Co-founder and CEO, StallionZo

Embrace Reverse Mentoring

One unique way I’ve boosted employee engagement in our company is through a Reverse Mentoring Program. Instead of the usual senior-to-junior mentorship, we enabled our younger or less experienced employees to mentor senior colleagues in areas of their expertise, like technology or market trends. 

This approach not only values unique skills but also fosters a culture of mutual respect and continuous learning. It’s been well received by our team and has contributed to a more engaged and collaborative work environment.

Will Gill, Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill

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