Employee engagement is the lifeblood of any successful organization, yet the numbers paint a bleak picture. According to Gallup, only about 30% of employees are truly engaged at work. That means a whopping 70% of your workforce might be just going through the motions—uninspired, unmotivated, and ready to jump ship at the next opportunity.
Why Are Employees Disengaged?
The root cause is simple: they don’t feel appreciated by leadership. Forget about perks, fancy job titles, or even salaries. If your employees don’t feel valued, they’re not sticking around. And when they leave, it’s not because of the workload or the office coffee; it’s because they don’t feel seen, heard, or respected by those above them.
The Cost of Disengagement
Disengaged employees are costly. They’re less productive, less creative, and more likely to spread negativity. They’re also more likely to leave, and when they do, they take their skills, experience, and institutional knowledge with them, leaving you to deal with the fallout of high turnover and the expense of hiring and training new talent.
Make Appreciation a Priority
Leadership has to step up. Appreciation isn’t about throwing a pizza party or sending a generic “great job” email. It’s about recognizing individual contributions, understanding what motivates each person, and creating a culture where everyone feels valued.
Regular Recognition: Don’t wait for annual reviews to give feedback. Recognize hard work and achievements as they happen. A simple, genuine thank you can go a long way.
Personalized Approach: Understand what matters to each employee. Some might appreciate public recognition, while others prefer a private word of praise. Tailoring your approach shows that you see them as individuals, not just cogs in a machine. The Five Love Languages from Gary Chapman is a fantastic resource to help you approach others better. It’s not just for your loved ones.
Involvement in Decisions: People feel valued when they have a say in the decisions that affect their work. Involve your employees in planning, listen to their ideas, and show that their input matters.
If you’re wondering why your employees are disengaged, or worse why they’re leaving. Look in the mirror. The number one reason people leave is because they don’t feel appreciated by leadership. Turn this around by making employee appreciation a core part of your management strategy. Engage your people, show them they matter, and watch as your team’s loyalty, productivity, and overall morale soar. Don’t let your best talent walk out the door—keep them by making them feel valued every single day.
Businesses wonder why it is still hard to be thought of as the brand of choice with the best customers and top employees. How can our business make more profitable transactions and stay out of the commodity battle with low profits? How can we land and keep top talent in our organization with the salary wars. Kevin teaches your sales and leadership teams how to build the key ingredient to be successful with their relationships and take your goals to the next level with high levels of engagement.
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