Tuning in to employee feedback isn’t just an exercise in goodwill—it’s a powerhouse strategy to elevate performance, streamline operations, and ultimately, pad the bottom line. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report, employees not feeling engaged—or worse, being actively disengaged—is costing the workplace world a hefty $8.9 trillion.

Employee engagement refers to a meaningful psychological connection to one’s work, team, and organization. It’s a dynamic mental state, constantly shifting based on workplace interactions and experiences; when employees are engaged, they’re mentally focused and primed for action.

Engagement isn’t something money can buy. While competitive pay is an effective tool for attracting, retaining, and motivating employees, it doesn’t foster a sense of psychological ownership in their work. Plus, the advantage of higher wages can vanish quickly when competitors offer more, leaving employees ready to jump ship if the numbers look good.

Let’s delve into why listening pays dividends—quite literally—and how utilizing change management tools can transform grumbles into growth.

Feedback: The Treasure Hidden in Plain Sight

Employee feedback is all too easily overlooked, and rarely leveraged to its fullest potential, yet it’s a goldmine. Employees—particularly in facilities management—are the boots on the ground; they see the inefficiencies, the resource wastage, and the operational hiccups that escape the gaze of upper management.

But here’s the twist: Feedback doesn’t just reveal problems; it highlights untapped opportunities. An employee’s casual comment about “how much time the HVAC maintenance takes” could spark the adoption of smarter, predictive technology. A suggestion about “those flickering lights” might lead to an energy audit and, who knows, lower utility bills.

Employee feedback isn’t just small talk over coffee—it’s a goldmine of insight. Invaluable ideas can be uncovered all while boosting employee productivity for a true win-win. Organizations with highly engaged employees experience a 17% increase in productivity compared to their disengaged counterparts; when employees feel their ideas matter, they go the extra mile, turning operations from adequate to exceptional.

Why Ignoring Feedback Is a Costly Affair

An ongoing leaky faucet in a facility that no one seems to be reporting for repair. Annoying, right? Now multiply that by every ignored feedback loop, every unaddressed inefficiency. The costs balloon. When employees feel unheard, disengagement seeps in, like water under a poorly sealed door.

Disengaged employees are productivity kryptonite; 54% of employees that report being “actively disengaged” feel stressed out at work, compared to a notably lower 38% of those who feel engaged. Studies have linked disengagement to absenteeism, higher turnover, and—no surprise—the knock-on effect of lower profitability. But the real kicker? Engaged employees not only perform better, but also actively advocate for operational excellence. They aren’t just reporting issues; they’re brainstorming solutions.

Building a culture of engagement isn’t an overnight task; it requires deliberate effort, resources, and long-term commitment. However, the payoff is substantial. Gallup’s meta-analysis of over 112,000 business units highlights the transformative impact of engagement: Teams in the top quartile of engagement achieve 10% higher customer loyalty, 23% greater profitability, and up to 18% higher productivity, depending on the metric. They also see significantly reduced turnover—43% lower in low-turnover organizations and 18% lower in high-turnover ones. Clearly the investment in engagement truly pays dividends, creating both happier teams and stronger performance outcomes.

Listening Is a Two-Way Street, Not a Cul-de-Sac

Let’s be clear: Listening doesn’t mean nodding politely and shelving ideas in the “we’ll circle back to it” folder. Effective feedback loops require action. Employees need to see that their input actually sparks change—undervalue it and watch that feedback faucet dry up faster than your last team-building budget.

Acknowledge feedback openly, implement feasible suggestions, and communicate progress. Something as simple as a quarterly update can turn an “I’m just a number here” attitude into “wow, they actually care!”

Tools of the Trade: Making Feedback Work

Of course, listening in today’s bustling facilities isn’t just about holding suggestion box ceremonies. Technology can now make the process seamless. Digital platforms like employee feedback apps or facilities management software aren’t just trendy buzzwords; they’re your ears on the ground—without all the awkward eavesdropping.

These tools can track, analyze, and prioritize feedback in ways a sticky note never could. Got five employees mentioning that the custodial staff needs better equipment? The data doesn’t lie. Your ROI on new cleaning tools isn’t just monetary; it’s morale-boosting too.

The Bottom Line: Listening as a Profit-Driving Strategy

It’s tempting to think of feedback as warm, fuzzy “team-building” material, but make no mistake—it’s a business strategy with teeth. Facilities that foster open communication see measurable improvements in efficiency, employee retention, and even customer satisfaction.

Think of employee feedback as your facility’s diagnostic tool. Ignore it, and you’re flying blind. Embrace it, and you’re charting a course to a more efficient, cost-effective operation—one in which employees feel valued, inspired, motivated and more.

Feedback isn’t just about listening—it’s about translating insights into action.

Howie Robleza is a freelance writer interested in tech, legal, and property trends. When she’s not writing, she works in commercial property management.

The post The ROI of Listening: How Employee Feedback Boosts Facility Performance appeared first on Facilities Management Advisor.