Today we played around with the deep “why” behind a set of Gallup numbers. These numbers are, arguably, the most important num’s in the world of work. Here they are. You, most likely, have seen and heard about them before. Don’t tune out. Tune in for some further clarity.
28
55
17
According to Gallup, 28% of the workers in the Fortune 1000, when surveyed about their level of engagement in their work, answered that they were, in fact, engaged. Cool. And, quite alarming at the same time.
Fifty five percent answered NO. Over half the workers in the world of work said that they were NOT engaged in their work. AND, most surprising of all, 17% said that they were “actively disengaged.” Translation. Seventeen percent are trying to sabotage the operation while being paid to do so. No wonder…
Today, with the Friday Pastors group, we played with the root cause, the deep “why” behind these scary little nums. We had a great time. We broke into two groups of three and one group of four. Everybody had the chance to write and then everybody had the chance to speak while the rest of the team sat and listened. Then, everybody had the chance to ask clarifying questions. Everybody was engaged.
Whole heartedly.
This “meeting” went on for over 90 minutes and nobody cared. Nobody was looking at their watch, or yawning, or thinking back, or wandering off. Everybody was lost in the moment. Everybody was smiling and allowing the team to influence them. Even the new guy seemed to get it. Amazing. Everybody was engaged.
Here’s the coolest observation from today. After the “meeting” concluded, we all made personal conclusions. We all put ourselves “on the hook.” AND, nobody, today, wanted the meeting to end. All but one, stayed a full thirty minutes after it was over to drive further down the trail that most interested them. The “team” broke into about 4 different sub-teams that were centered around their very common interest. Everybody was engaged.
Oh yeah, the deep why? Here’s the end of that story, and it’s not rooted where you think. The root cause for your team’s 28 55 17 level of engagement is not because you’re on the wrong team, saddled with the world’s worst leader, buried in the bottom of an algae sucking system, or because you work with a bunch of incompetent mules. The real reason is you and the real reason is me.
Slow down and reflect.
Have you taken the time to become internally aligned?
Have you taken the time to discover what gives you energy, what plays to your strengths, and what you want to master in work and life?
Are you looking forward to investing the 10,000 hours toward excellence?
Why is it that every CEO thinks they’re engaged?
Why is it so hard to see my lack of alignment between what I say and what I do, and yet so easy for me to see yours?
Why is it that so many team members talk to others and to themselves as if they are “enslaved,” not employed at their place of work?
Aren’t we the freest people on the planet?
Tell me more, my friend.
Tell me more…
BUILT TO LEAD 
Chet (aka “Toto” the little dog from Kansas that loves to stir things up with mischievious play) was in prime form, barking out these questions!
Sobered heads began to nod — apparently, this isn’t just the case in the Fortune 1000!
Every time we start a BUILT TO LEAD practice with a new team, we break into tables of 3-5 and begin with how to write, speak, listen & ask curious questions — for many it’s as if they are learning this for the very first time. This morning was no different, and soon ideas were flying. Tables were asked to share what they’d learned with the other tables, and to then play it back. Thoroughly enjoying himself as he watched the chaos build to a crescendo, Chet interrupted, asking “what just happened?”– and then, still smiling, shared these observations.
1. We DIDN’T really answer the first question (what is the ROOT issue), and we didn’t even GET to the second question (which category are YOU in, and WHY).
2. Instead, people mostly just shared what they CONNECTED with from where they’ve been AT lately.
3. And when asked to play back what they’d heard, the listener inevitably revised it into their OWN words, usually with a completely different twist.
“How OFTEN do we do this to each other in work AND life?” We answered in unison, “ALL THE TIME!”
Then carefully, masterfully, Chet drew out the silent ones to speak, and had others play it back WITHOUT any twists until we all were able to really get their intended meaning right — realizing, of course, the silent ones had LOTS to say.
Like a newsflash, the light went on for me about part of the “root problem.” So FEW teams are willing to TAKE THE TIME to do what we just did, including sniffing out the FEAR that’s holding people back in order to draw them out, and learning to “play it back” to each other to avoid the misunderstandings that lead to people actively disengaging. And so FEW teams have leaders with the VISION to see part of their PURPOSE as doing for their team what Chet did for us — to SLOW down and follow the BUILT TO LEAD “rules of engagement” for speaking, listening & asking the curious questions that lead to exceptional, high performing teams.
Want to put yourself “on the hook” to get better? WRITE just one Productive Action you could take.
Mine is DONE so.
you took it home Johnny!
I want to do this more because it is fun and I care.
Chet,
So glad you are in my life man. Friday was amazing. It is always a supernatural experience. We are blessed to have you as our facilitator. Looking forward to our time on the 8th.
Kary