If you look at what is called “career well-being,” recent Gallup data shows that only 20% of people in the world can say that they are happy with what they do every day. In fact, one of the most astonishing statistics, at least in the Western world and in the United States, is that more people die on Monday morning at 9:00, because they hate their jobs.
Other data shows that if your immediate supervisor or someone who you work with ignores you, then your rate of disengagement is about 40%. On the other hand, if somebody you work with doesn’t ignore you but criticizes you, then your rate of disengagement falls to about 20%, because as human beings we would rather be criticized than ignored. When we are ignored, it is almost a tacit understanding between people that we don’t exist. So, being criticized is actually a healthier state of mind than being ignored. But if the person you work with notices your strength and acknowledges what you are good at, then your rate of disengagement falls to less than 1%.
In America, 15% of the workforce is actively disengaged, which means people are not only unhappy with what they do, but they make it a point of making other people unhappy as well. And this 15% of actively disengaged people actually cost the United States about $380 billion in its economy. So there is direct link between our engagement, our passion and the economy. Whether it is passive disengagement, which means just counting time, or active disengagement, it has huge implications.
On Benfold, I quickly decided that I wouldn’t worry about what I couldn’t control. But one of the things I could control was the influence I could have on the attitude and mindset of my crew. I took a genuine interest in identifying their many talents and helping them understand the meaningful difference their actions had on our overall success. The results speak for themselves. I truly believe and am honored to have been with a crew that was engaged and part of a winning culture. However, it’s a fine line between being engaged and disengaged. Do what you can to allocate as much of your time to coaching, developing and getting to know your team. It is one of the best investments you’ll make.
I just read your book. Outstanding! I’m putting its principles to work immediately.
I have to say, in response to your comment above, I’m probably in the very tiny minority that would rather be ignored. Tell me the result you want and leave me alone and I’ll work until it’s done. Stand over me and criticize me and I’m gone. I realize that’s rather unusual.
That said, I’d like to help. How?
Just completed reading “It’s Our Ship”, Fantastic and enlightening. I work in the criminal justice system and getting folks to understand “why” we do some of the things we do is difficult at times. As you relayed: Understanding is better than trust, especially when the potential for bad things to happen is extremely high. Thanks for all your insight.