09/11/2025

Employee Engagement

Analyzing a big issue that requires a small approach

What happens when a project stalls? We recently grappled with this issue. Our project team found more roadblocks than open lanes. It struggled with motivation and ownership, and the project became disjointed and disconnected.

Some leaders see this problem and instinctually take a hard line, discharging orders and defining tasks, which often does not work. So, we shifted gears, transferring the project's creative control to the team and giving it power over the process. That small shift in demonstrating trust and confidence altered the team's energy. The team began collaborating, generating innovative ideas and solving problems faster. A newly engaged group of employees rediscovered their team and delivered a result beyond our expectations.

Engagement has been a business keyword for decades; employees demand it, companies crave it and leadership consultants craft seminars around it. The research firm Gallup has spent extensive time and resources measuring employee engagement and its impact on success.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Chief Executive.