Gallup has focused on measuring employee engagement for over 20 years.
Since 2009, engagement has been steadily rising through 2020.
Then, the decline began.
2021 brought a drop from 36% to 34% and with the 2022 data the numbers are now down to 32%.
This takes us back to 2016 levels.
While engagement has been dropping, Gallup has made another discovery.
Engaged workers who are not thriving in life are much more vulnerable and add risk to organizations.
The risks include likelihood of burnout, increased stress, daily worry, and sadness & anger.
My Perspective
I think there is an opportunity to look at our careers through a lens of both engagement and well-being.
We could consider the grid below and apply at the individual career and/or organizational level.
| Engaged & Struggling High Engagement Low Wellbeing (This is where you get by) | Engaged & Thriving High Engagement High Wellbeing (This is where you make a difference) |
| Unengaged & Struggling Low Engagement Low Wellbeing (This is where you are unmoored) | Unengaged & Thriving Low Engagement High Wellbeing (This is where you lack purpose) |
As I think about the chart , there would be different priorities and approaches for individuals in each of the four boxes.
Solutions could look different for an individual than they would for a team or organization.
This approach would enable us to break situations down into manageable and addressable chunks.
I believe we could even apply the chart outside the workplace – to relationships, our homes, and more.
Your Turn
Do you think the chart above could provide insight on engagement and wellbeing at work?
Where would you place your own career on the chart?
How might you apply the chart to other areas of your life?