For episode show notes visit http://bit.ly/HRSP-ReneJohnston  We know that higher levels of employee engagement translate into healthier cultures, better retention, and increased profitability, so how can leaders, including HR Leaders, build stronger teams and build higher engagement? René Johnston shares five strategies for strengthening employee engagement. She highlights one of these strategies - knowing your team members, sharing four benefits that flow from this strategy. René discusses the role of assessment tools in facilitating conversations to get to know your team. René Johnston is the owner and founder of Employee Engagement Solutions. Her organization specializes in improving culture, retention, and profitability by building more engaged teams. She is an author and speaker whose work can be found in various print and online publications. René also serves as a regular columnist for The Spokane Journal of Business, Catalyst magazine, and as an adjunct faculty member for the Lewis-Clark State College Business Division. René was selected as a TEDx speaker and holds a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Human Resource Development.