As we move into November, the month where we center on gratitude, reflection, and connection. I’ve found myself thinking about what truly fuels a healthy workplace. Statistics show only 21% of employees feel engaged, meaning nearly 80% of the workforce is operating at some level of disengagement or detachment. Disengagement costs the global economy $438 billion in lost productivity yearly.
There’s been recent talk of reviving the “9-9-6” work schedule, a six-day workweek that pushes people to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s a schedule some industries once praised for its grit, but when we look closely, it we have learned it does more harm than good. Long hours may fill time cards, but they rarely fill people. They drain the very energy and creativity that keep a business alive.
The truth is, we can’t build engagement by pushing people harder. We build it by helping them want to be part of something meaningful.
One of my favorite analogies is about how Gatorade revolutionized football. Performance did not improve when coaches yelled louder or pushed harder, it improved when someone realized the players were dehydrated. Once they focused on replenishment, the game changed forever. Workplace culture is no different.
We know transformation comes from substantial changes, however we need to remember that real impact still happens from small, consistent acts of appreciation. A thoughtful thank-you, a leader who listens, a manager who notices, can be the “electrolytes” that keep people engaged.
When gratitude becomes part of how your organization operates, not just something mentioned once a year, the ripple effects last a lifetime.
This season, try shifting the focus, as the holidays approach, take a moment to pause and ask:
You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Sometimes, small tweaks, a handwritten note, a moment of recognition, a sincere “thank you”, can do more to shift culture than any major initiative.
This month, as you gather with family, friends, and coworkers, remember, engagement grows in environments where people feel valued, not exhausted. Gratitude isn’t just seasonal, it’s strategic.
If you’d like to explore how intentional steps can spark long-term engagement in your organization, that’s exactly what we help leaders do! Check out The People Playbook or reach out for a free 30-minute consultation at info@pplperspective.org!
Let’s create a culture that lasts long after the turkey leftovers are gone.
-Elizabeth