01/04/2023

Our Brains & Quiet Quitting

The science behind whether we're wired to quiet quit

The world increasingly feels like it’s spiraling out of control, with a daily onslaught of grim news and economic anxiety. It’s no wonder that 31 percent of Americans are experiencing depression and anxiety — three times as many as before the pandemic — and nearly 50 percent of the workforce say they aren’t going to go above and beyond for their jobs.

And while some say so-called “quiet quitting” is about drawing healthy boundaries between work and personal time, actions such as withdrawing from your team, limiting communication only to what’s strictly required and staying silent rather than contributing in meetings are “classic indicators of diminished motivation and low engagement.”

While the term may be new, what’s happening here really is just the latest expression of a fundamental aspect of human nature: In the face of persistent and inescapable stressors, people often respond by simply giving up. When nothing is in your control, why even try?

Please select this link to read the complete article from Harvard Business Review.