Business
minds have been talking a lot about “engagement” in the workplace lately. The
scene is shockingly worse than most of us thought. Forbes’ recent article
highlights Gallup’s latest survey findings:
Fewer than 1 in 3 (30%) of American workers are
committed to the success of their organization and are engaged in their work.
Over half (52%) are ‘disengaged’ – defined as ‘less emotionally connected’ and
not willing to do any more than necessary to keep their job. Most alarming of
all, nearly 1 in 5 workers are ‘actively disengaged’ – actually against their
organization, their boss or both.1
Yikes.
As a business and community leader myself, this statistic is depressing. It
tells me that we have a lot of work to do to activate the potential of those we
work with and serve every day. A LOT of work.
It
also strikes a chord. Deep in my gut, I know what it feels like to be on the
other end of this data – the one in the room that is daydreaming of working
anywhere but here, the one whose passions can never seem to be contained inside
of a single job description. When my business ebbs and flows with the seasons
like all consulting firms do, I get antsy. I get bored, feel underutilized,
guilty for not working my tail off, and fall into a predictable funk. I want to
contribute as much as I can, like most people do. Yet, it is a rare scenario
that every single day of our working lives will be purpose-filled and
electrifying. Dammit.
So, when the disengaged
person in the room is YOU, what do you do?
Here’s
my way out:
1.
Self-Reflect: I journal a lot. Even more
so when I am not feeling my best. This includes when I sit down at my desk in
the morning and realize I’ve got a huge “boulder” in my way clogging my mind.
So I take a few minutes to write it all out and literally clear it out of my
way. Sounds like a waste of precious time, but those 15 minutes are probably the
most effective in getting my head on straight. This is how I show up fully.
Don’t fight your struggle – give it room to express itself. Give it a
voice on paper. Validate your experience and your needs. I promise that
bringing light to what ails you will lessen its pressure considerably.
Sometimes, we just need to be heard. Even by us.
2.
Connect with Your Gurus: My inner circle freaking
rocks. When I notice my energy is apathetic or even angry at work, post-writing
session I immediately reach out to my most trusted personal friends and
“teachers.” They may not know it, but I call them my “personal board of
directors.” These women and men are people with whom I can fully express myself
and know I’m safe. I can show them my “ugly” and they’ll still love me (a
miracle, I know!). They have my back and my best interests at heart. They see
my bigness, my heart, and my potential. Of course, they are much wiser than me.
Find your people who can give you the same room to learn. They will be
your battery source. If you don’t have anyone now, that’s perfectly okay. Start
looking for people you admire and trust, then cultivate a relationship. The
best ones are mutually supportive. And they don’t happen by accident. Build
your tribe.
3.
Let Yourself Be Known: As I connect with my circle
of gurus, I am simultaneously sharing about my passions, goals and visions for who
I want to be. Even if you’re like me and just need to ride the wave within your
current company, keep reaching out to new people. For me, that meant getting
involved in my community and volunteering. I’m now part of three incredible
organizations. They allow me to fulfill a personal need to contribute, while
also putting me in front of a ton of strangers. These strangers, surprisingly,
happen to be excited by my “day job” and have started networking for me – my partners
in crime! It’s incredibly energizing, and both my firm and I are reaping the
rewards.
It all started because I put myself out there. I found something I was
interested in, asked if I could help, and surprise – I have a huge new
community network that is satisfying my work and personal goals in unexpected
ways. So, go surprise yourself. If there’s a nagging voice in your head to
volunteer at a dog shelter, go do it! It’s Life telling you that something
great may happen when you do. Could be the people you’ll meet or the passions
you’ll uncover when you follow your heart. Side effect: your work enjoyment will
likely go up tenfold on its own. I dare you!
4.
Take Care: When we’re unhappy at work,
it can be a red flag that we’re not taking care of ourselves. For me, I get my
tush into yoga class multiple times a week (you should thank me for that, I’m
much less crazy when I do). I will take some deep breaths in the morning before
I get out of bed and obsess over my iPhone. I take long walks on my lunch
break. I get massages, eat healthfully, and do my number one job – take care of
ME. When I’m in good shape, so is my work and those who work with me.
This doesn’t mean you need to go on a radical health kick. Just restore
some balance in your life. What gives you energy and joy and peace? Do more of
that. If baking cookies makes you giggle like a child, please, go bake! Find
your “happy” and be healthy with it. You matter. Your work (and your team) needs
you to be well taken care of. And it’s not their job to do it – it’s yours.
If you’re disengaged at
work, your LIFE is calling. Start listening to that quiet hum inside of you.
Nurture it. Work should be an evolving expression of who we really are. Is
yours?
Resources:
1.
Warrell, Margie. (2013).’70% Disengagement’ – 3 Ways To Engage Those
Who Aren’t. Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2013/06/07/70-disengagement-3-ways-to-engage-those-who-arent/
