Why aren't more of us engaged at work? | Jeff Havens | TEDxNormal

Summary

This video addresses the critical issue of employee disengagement, with a large portion of employees feeling either disengaged or actively disengaged. It distinguishes between job satisfaction and engagement, emphasizing the importance of both good leadership (interpersonal connections) and great leadership (vision and mission). The speaker suggests a shift in leadership education, advocating for teaching what not to do in addition to how to do things right. This creative approach can foster better learning and ultimately improve employee engagement and productivity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Two-thirds of employees are disengaged at work, with 20% actively disengaged, leading to over half a trillion dollars in lost productivity annually.
• 😀 Job satisfaction doesn't necessarily equate to engagement. Satisfied employees are okay with their jobs, but engaged employees are passionate and actively improve themselves and their companies.
• 😀 Good leadership focuses on interpersonal interactions, while great leadership centers on vision, mission, and value. Both are essential for employee engagement.
• 😀 Engaged employees are motivated by both good and great leadership practices: personal connection and a clear sense of mission and purpose.
• 😀 Focusing only on good leadership (e.g., making employees feel valued) may lead to satisfied but not engaged employees who don't see their work as important.
• 😀 Focusing solely on great leadership (e.g., emphasizing the larger purpose) may lead to employees who understand the vision but don't feel necessary for its execution.
• 😀 Historical examples like George Washington and Steve Jobs highlight that even great leaders can be ineffective if they don't combine good leadership qualities with their vision.
• 😀 Effective leadership requires balance: leaders must be good at interpersonal relationships while also being great at conveying vision and mission.
• 😀 Current leadership education often emphasizes what leaders should do, but it tends to be too theoretical and can come off as pedantic or lecturing.
• 😀 A more effective method of leadership education involves learning from mistakes and understanding what not to do, making the lessons more memorable and engaging.
• 😀 Leaders should teach themselves and others by exploring both successful and unsuccessful leadership practices to create a more relatable and effective learning experience.

Q & A

What is the difference between satisfied employees and engaged employees?

Satisfied employees are content with their jobs—they don't love it, but they don't hate it enough to leave. Engaged employees, on the other hand, actively love what they do, work toward personal and company improvement, and are motivated to go beyond basic job requirements.

How do disengaged employees impact a company?

Disengaged employees, who make up about 20% of the workforce, actively dislike their jobs and can cost companies over half a trillion dollars a year due to lost productivity.

What are the two main aspects of effective leadership according to the script?

The two main aspects of effective leadership are 'good leadership', which focuses on interpersonal interaction (e.g., having an open-door policy, giving credit, and providing motivators) and 'great leadership', which focuses on communication of vision, mission, and values.

What are the top six motivators for engaged employees based on ADP's analysis?

The top six motivators for engaged employees include factors related to interpersonal interaction (good leadership), meaning and purpose (great leadership), and a combination of both.

Why is it important to practice both good and great leadership simultaneously?

It’s crucial because focusing only on one can lead to employees feeling valued but not important (with good leadership), or understanding the mission but not feeling necessary to execute it (with great leadership). Both are needed for higher employee engagement.

Can you give an example of a leader who failed to balance both good and great leadership?

George Washington is a historical example. While he was a great leader in terms of vision and leadership during the Revolutionary War, he was a poor listener and often ignored the advice of others, which prolonged the war.

What was the downside of Steve Jobs’ leadership style?

While Steve Jobs was a visionary and great leader in shaping Apple, he was often difficult to work with, leading to personal and professional challenges, such as being ousted from the company he founded.

What does the script suggest about how leadership education is currently structured?

Leadership education often focuses on what leaders should do, but it’s presented in a way that can come across as pedantic, leading to employees tuning out. The script suggests we should focus on how to fail at leadership to make the lessons more memorable and impactful.

Why is using negative examples in leadership education considered effective?

Using negative examples helps learners internalize lessons more powerfully because our brains tend to weight negative information more strongly than positive. This method also adds an element of fun and creativity, making the lessons more memorable.

What is the 'compliment sandwich' and why is it not recommended?

The 'compliment sandwich' is when you deliver a criticism between two compliments. It’s not recommended because employees often see through it, realizing that the compliments are just a cover for the criticism, which undermines the message.