5 ways to get your people pumped about employee surveys

Let's help your teams LOVE 💕 surveys (yes, really)!

Because they've come a long way.

They’re faster. Smarter. More connected to real-time action.

But let’s be honest, your people won’t care about any of that unless the experience feels meaningful to them.

If surveys still feel like box-ticking, it’s time for a shift.

Done right, surveys can be a high-energy moment that sparks change, strengthens culture and makes people feel heard.

So here’s how to get your teams genuinely excited about speaking up.

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1. Set the scene then build trust

We love pulse surveys as they give people a regular say, leaders real-time insights and lots of opportunity for trust to build up over time.

But many leaders still get really nervous about how that first survey will go.  

Our best practice here is to set expectations early:

• Be clear on why you’re asking for feedback
• Reassure them it’s safe to say what needs to be said
• Share what you’ve heard and what you’re doing about it
• Let trust grow from there.

That first survey might only get a few shrugs or half-hearted comments and that’s OK. The key is always what happens next.

The more your people see real follow-through, the more they’ll believe their voice truly matters.

That’s how every survey grows stronger than the last.

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2. Make It quick, smart and easy

You’re not running an exam. You’re investing in an ongoing conversation.

• Keep it short and focused
• Say no to cookie-cutter questions
• Use your language and terminology
• Ask about things that can actually change

The experience should feel smooth and modern, not clunky and outdated. When people can share feedback in just a few clicks, they’re far more likely to do it (and do it well!)

Add in some features like team results being shared with the team, and suddenly surveys feel like something made for them, not just management.

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3. Help people leave comments that matter

The most powerful insights don’t come from the numbers. They come from the words people write.

That comment box? It’s gold. So give people the time and space to use it well.

Encourage them to share:

• What exactly is working or not
• What could make it better
• What needs to keep going

When you see comments that are specific, constructive, and forward-looking, that’s when you know the culture is shifting.

And that only happens when people feel it’s worth the effort.

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4. Let AI spot what humans might miss

This is the future of surveys and it’s already here.

AI that’s built into your survey tool, trusted by your organisation and backed by the full context of your results can now safely scan thousands of comments in real-time. It can pick up the themes, risks and trends that matter most, allowing you to be aware of patterns instantly and act early. No need to wait weeks for that 50-page report!

It’s a powerful way to show your people that their feedback is going somewhere. Fast.

Remember, AI doesn’t replace human insight. It supercharges it and it puts your organisation on the front foot.

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5. Make feedback part of your team’s rhythm

When surveys feel like a chore, they’re easy to ignore. But when they feel like a normal, energising part of how an organisation works? That’s when you’ve cracked it.

Talk about feedback in your executive meetings. Share the wins that came from team results. Celebrate momentum. Let people see the story they’re shaping, not just the survey they’re filling out.

When people know they’re part of something real, they show up differently.

They care. They bring their ideas forward.

They engage.