Gallup recently shared that employee engagement isn’t really changing, and that just 32% of U.S. employees report feeling engaged. Like many things we can find that even with more technology, more tools, more flexible work days, the disengagement is still there.
As a technology company I often force myself – and our company – to consider: where has technology improved things? Where has technology made things worse? (HINT: customer service chatbots and automated phone lines have typically made our lives worse :)).
The Broader Picture: Loneliness Meets "Bowling Alone"
In Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam charted the decline of social institutions and community over time. Fast forward, and the “loneliness epidemic” has only grown. Work is one of the last structured communities many people belong to. If that connection fades, we’re missing something essential- not just for business, but for people. So it matters to keep high ambitions for people’s engagement. Check out this resource on engaging staff.
How to Spot Employee Engagement (Without a Survey)
We’re a survey company – so we love surveys. And they play a role in engagement. You don’t need Possip or Gallup to notice disengagement. Look for these signs:
- Attendance – Are people reliably showing up—or just clocking in?
- Attentiveness – Are they invested in the broader goals, or only their to-do list?
- Feedback Response – When asked, do they share thoughtful input—or stay silent?
Three Practical Ways to Boost Engagement
- Daily Huddles A quick 15-minute check-in where everyone gets seen and heard. A “whiparound” or simple roundtable helps build connection. It also helps notice if people are present – and how they are – or are not.
- Monthly All-Hands Meetings An hour where progress is shared, ideas are celebrated, and everyone sees how their piece fits.
- Routine Feedback Channels Make feedback predictable- daily, weekly, or monthly- and follow through. Consistency builds trust.
Turn Every Voice Into Your Next Win
That 32% isn’t just a statistic- it’s a signal and an opportunity. Read the newsletter here. We can choose to see low engagement as an inevitability- or a chance to rebuild connection intentionally. Each voice matters- and in an era of growing isolation, making sure people know they matter is a non-negotiable.
Want more? Let’s chat.
