Your team is disengaged. How can you get them back on track?

Já passei pela péssima experiência de estar com a equipe completamente desengajada com os projetos/metas propostos. Por mais complicado, desafiador e frustrante que tenha sido essa minha vivência, perceber que a causa raiz estava em boa parte na minha maneira de "liderar". Somente após esse "feedback doloroso" e mudan?as profundas nas atitudes que eu tinha perante a equipe é que conseguimos construir um rela??o de confian?a, parceria e principalmente, engajamento.

To re-engage a disengaged team: 1. Identify root causes through open communication. 2. Provide regular recognition and appreciation. 3. Clarify goals and expectations clearly. 4. Offer development opportunities for growth. 5. Empower autonomy and ownership. 6. Foster collaboration and teamwork. 7. Promote work-life balance. 8. Lead by example with enthusiasm and commitment. 9. Monitor progress and celebrate wins regularly. 10. Create a supportive and inclusive team culture.

I love a lot of the suggestions I see on this topic! Employee engagement is often overcomplicated - so lets get back to basics. Talk with each employee and make sure you understand how to meet their 5 needs - feeling heard, understood, appreciated, connected, and fulfilled. This will give you the much needed insight to address the disconnects in these 5 needs and what's currently going on.

Build trust first, encourage a positive work environment through flexible work arrangements, promote a sense of purpose, and offer professional development opportunities tailored to individual aspirations.

If you are unsure why they are disengaged, then the first thing you should do is work on building trust. Engaged employees will typically bring up issues. If they do not trust you, then they might not feel safe bringing up any issues or may leave key details out. Maintaining engagement is similar to maintaining a relationship. There has to be some level of rapport. All mutual relationships are built on trust. If trust doesn't exist, then it is likely that the relationships is not going to be a healthy one.

Regular and constructive feedback is a cornerstone of effective training and development. It not only clarifies expectations but also fosters a growth mindset among team members. As a T&D expert, I emphasize the importance of integrating feedback into daily interactions, not just during formal evaluations. This continuous loop of communication helps employees align their personal goals with the organization's mission, leading to a more engaged and productive team.

The easiest way to reengage team members is through open communication and genuine interest in their well-being and contributions. Scheduling check-ins and provide opportunities to listen to team members' concerns, gather feedback, and offer support. Recognizing and acknowledging the team's collective efforts and achievements can also boost morale and reengage the team overall. Another quick win is involving team members in decision-making processes. This not only engages them but also provides opportunities for growth and development, and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment can reignite their passion and commitment to the team's goals.

To re-engage a disengaged team, adjusting your leadership style is crucial. Assess the current dynamic and identify areas for improvement. Tailor your approach to meet the team's needs, whether it's providing clearer expectations, offering more autonomy, or fostering open communication. Empower team members by involving them in decision-making processes and recognizing their contributions. Additionally, provide support, coaching, and resources to help them succeed. By adapting your leadership style to address the team's specific challenges and preferences, you can inspire motivation, collaboration, and productivity, ultimately getting them back on track.

Let's not forget to explore the possibilities of AI within engagement. AI tools can help analyse sentiments, detect disengagement very early on and provide personalised suggestions to the team members. All the above are valid pointers on how to reengage our team as a lead. AI can be used in this journey to make it easier.

To reinvigorate disengaged teams, it's vital to prioritize fostering a supportive culture where every member feels valued. Encourage work-life balance to prevent burnout and sustain energy levels. Provide coaching and ensure psychological safety for open expression. Additionally, focus on transparency, equality in accountability, and having a well-trained and experienced management team proficient in people skills, human management, gender-based analysis (GBA+), and fostering inclusion and diversity. This approach, not only leverages strengths but also creates a positive work environment conducive to sustainable success. "To succeed in the workplace, it's not just about goals; it's about the people who help you reach them." - Simon Sinek