Simple Actions and a Deep Curiosity Make the Greatest Impact

Over the past two years, leaders have been put to the test. They’ve had to keep their organizations afloat amid challenges no one saw coming. Executives everywhere have been forced to rethink, restrategize, restructure, and relaunch. The majority have risen to the challenge with determination.

Yet despite these efforts, businesses are struggling to retain employees and keep them engaged. Some companies are unable to fill countless open roles. Is it possible that we’re thinking and plotting too much? Is it possible that leaders are overcomplicating things?

I believe the answer is yes. I believe that simple actions can make a massive difference during times of duress. It’s time for leaders to go back to basics.

When clients are struggling to engage their people, I often ask their employees, “What percentage of what you have to offer do you feel like you’re able to contribute?” The most common answer is 60%. When asked, “Would you like to contribute more?” employees almost always respond with a resounding “hell yes!”

This tells me that people could be bringing much more to work each day. But I don’t hear other leaders asking these questions. As a result, they don’t know that their people have so much more to offer and then wonder why they’re stuck in the land of mediocre effort with an even less-than-mediocre sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.