How to Present Employee Engagement Survey Results Effectively – 10 Tips

3 mins
Published on February 28th, 2025By Katherine Alexander

Conducting an employee engagement survey is a powerful way to understand the thoughts and feelings of your workforce. But gathering the data is only half the story. Presenting the results in a way that drives action and encourages trust is equally important. While some of our clients choose to share survey results themselves, most turn to us to present the findings to their organisation. Drawing on our experience, we’d like to share ten practical tips to help you present survey results effectively to your organisation.

  1. Start with Clear Objectives

Begin your presentation by reminding stakeholders of the survey’s purpose. For example, is the goal to measure employee engagement, identify areas for development, or evaluate the impact of recent changes? Clearly linking the results to the survey’s objectives will provide context and keep the focus on actionable outcomes.

  1. Know Your Audience

Tailor your presentation to the needs of your audience. Senior leaders may want a strategic overview, while managers may need more granular insights about their teams. Use relevant examples and frame the findings in a way that resonates with each group.

  1. Use Visuals to Tell the Story

Don’t confuse the audience with too much information on a page making it impossible to take in the details. Data visualisation is your friend. Charts, tables, and infographics can make complex information easier to digest. For example:

  • Bar charts are great when you would like to communicate insights quickly and engage your audience.
  • Word clouds are particularly useful for analysing free text responses and quickly identifying recurring themes or terms.
  • Tables are ideal when you need to focus on the detail and show multiple variables of data in one place.

Keep visuals simple and uncluttered, ensuring they emphasise the key takeaways.

  1. Provide Key Metrics

Highlight the most important metrics upfront, such as participation rates, engagement scores, scales used and areas with the highest or lowest ratings. Providing benchmarks, whether internal or external, will offer additional perspective.

If this is the first survey you’ve run, include a page on employee engagement and why it’s important – the facts are easily gained from Engage for Success – or you could read one of our blogs

  1. Be Honest and Transparent

Honesty builds trust. Acknowledge both positive results and areas for improvement. If some findings were unexpected or challenging, address them openly. Employees will appreciate your openness and your commitment to addressing concerns.

  1. Celebrate Successes

Recognise and celebrate areas of strong performance. This not only reinforces positive behaviours but also boosts morale. Sharing specific examples of what’s working well can help replicate success across the organisation.

  1. Focus on Actionable Insights

While all of the data collected is valuable, its real power lies in driving action. Present insights that can lead to concrete steps. For instance:

  • If employees feel undervalued, consider initiatives to enhance recognition programmes.
  • If communication is flagged as an issue, explore ways to improve transparency and collaboration.

  1. Engage Your Audience

Turn the presentation into a dialogue rather than a monologue. Invite questions, encourage feedback, and seek input on potential solutions. This collaborative approach helps build a shared sense of ownership for the outcomes.

  1. Communicate Next Steps

End your presentation by outlining the next steps. Detail how the organisation plans to address key findings, set timelines for action, and identify who will be responsible. This demonstrates commitment and ensures accountability.

  1. Follow Up and Keep the Conversation Alive

After presenting the results, maintain momentum by keeping employees informed about progress. Regular updates show that their feedback is valued and being acted upon, reinforcing engagement and trust. Not forgetting that it will encourage participation in the next survey.

Final Thoughts on How to Present Employee Engagement Survey Results

Presenting employee engagement survey results effectively is about more than just sharing data. It’s an opportunity to connect with your people, celebrate achievements, and build a roadmap for improvement. By focusing on clarity, transparency, and action, you can turn survey findings into a catalyst for positive change within your organisation.