When middle leaders get their team engagaed

The disengaged workforce. The need for engaged and inspirational middle leaders📌

In Gallup's "State of the Global Workforce 2024" [1], Dr Jim Harter highlights a significant issue: poor workforce engagement. He argues that the more empowered managers are, the more engaged their teams will be.

➡️In our experience with clients, we often hear of senior leaders who hesitate to empower middle managers. It can be a tough nut to crack. Giving control, even over 'minor' aspects of work, takes courage, especially in more authoritarian cultures.

You can be pretty sure that in such environments, "being inspirational" likely isn't part of the job description.

➡️But if you're a leader, at any level, ask yourself: Is it part of yours?
Clearly there are plenty of organizations where empowerment is embedded in the culture. In these places engagement flows naturally.

👉We consider it our responsibility to start asking what can be done.

🔖Is empathy a key factor?

Leaders who say, "Yes, it's mundane or a slog, but that's the job," aren't really helping—especially when they distance themselves from the problem. You know the type: the ones who think they are now above the problem.

➡️If you are a middle leader who recognises the challenges that a disengaged team is enduring, consider the less appealing parts of a frontline role.
What would you have wanted your immediate manager to do to make it better?

Are senior leaders aware of these issues? Low engagement leads to low productivity, so it's critical to speak up. Yet, we still encounter leaders who seem indifferent.

➡️Harter also points out that many managers themselves are disengaged, which makes it hard for them to engage their teams.

Consider this: By empowering their team members, these leaders can actually boost their own engagement as well.

If done with care and consideration to all parties, they will be doing something that contributes to the well-being of their team members and has a positive impact on the organisation.

➡️In my eyes, this is genuinely inspirational. Make sure you have it as part of your performance review.
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