An employee’s emotional attachment to the vision, culture, and work that they are doing is what drives their level of engagement. Knowing that engagement is a spectrum where employees can move up and down depending on any number of variables allows us to tread lightly. However it is relevant to know that leaders in a team can make a difference to the engagement of a team by articulating what needs to be done to reach the goals in a sustainable way.
A leader is not defined by a management title, a leader is anyone who takes responsibility for improving the team and culture that they are working in. By that definition, every team member contributes to the culture and level of engagement. At times we can sit back and wait for the leader, or someone else to change something that we could, with a change in attitude. We allow our light shine a little brighter when we decide to actively contribute to the improvement. Sometimes for whatever reason the person with the “management” title isn’t the most inspiring, organised, or compassionate person. When we observe this having a detrimental effect on the behaviours in our team, we can all step up and try to improve it and not simply sit back and watch morale decline.
Many years ago, I was managing a team and started receiving complaints about a particular team member who was perceived not to be pulling their weight. I believed that the complainants had the experience to improve the situation with their own contributions. While I had the initial courageous conversation, I made it clear that it was everyone’s responsibility to lift this team member up to where they needed to be. I was not prepared to manage a team of backstabbing unsupportive members; it was instrumental that everyone contributed to raise the level of engagement in the team. This remains one of my best leadership success stories.
While I was the manager, I knew that my efforts alone cannot change the team culture. I knew that deep down everyone wanted to work in a fun, productive, and connected team (nearly everyone does). I also knew that a series of small steps would improve the culture and no amount of effort purely on my part would make a significant difference. Engagement is a spectrum, which I discuss further in "What my Sherpa Taught me About Teams", levels of engagement fluctuate and everyone contributes to. It is about creating an environment where the shift over time is in a positive direction. Just like mountaineering team we can be at a different altitude but all heading towards a higher level of engagement. Complaining to one person without taking responsibility yourself will never result in the improvement you are seeking. One must contemplate that if we all contributed to the positive culture and not wait for someone else to do it how quickly engagement in teams could improve.