Are your employees maximizing their potential at work? The answer is likely no. A Gallup study showed 53 percent of people are "not engaged" at work. Employees are showing up but aren't thrilled to be at work. And, they are more likely to leave when a better opportunity comes up.  

This where leadership comes in. The role of a leader is varied, but the most important hat they wear is the role of engaging others. Basically, the Chief Engagement Officer. Whether you are a school head, a CEO, an office manager or a sports coach, your job is to ensure that people are engaged and productive.

Here are three questions to ask in your next 1-1 to create a more engaged culture:

1.     How excited are you about coming to work?

Leaders are the best people to help each team member identify and describe what parts of their work they truly care about. Discuss what matters to your employees. That’s where you will hear what excites and motivates them. And then, help them do more of that.

2.     Do you get to use my strengths every day?

Gallup found that those who get to use their strengths every day are “six times as likely to be engaged in their job and three times as likely to report having an excellent quality of life”.

Leaders must have strengths-based coaching conversations with their people about their work and wellbeing.

3.     Do you get to do what you’re good at and what you love?

Let your people know they don’t have to love everything they do. In fact, a person only needs to love 20% of what they do to feel fulfilled and engaged. But, they do need to find the love in what they do. Help them find that.

As a leader, hone your skills to have frequent, quality conversations with your people to build an engaged culture!