The world of work is a bit broken.
You’ve seen the stats before: only 20% of workers worldwide are fully engaged at work. That means 80% – a whopping 8 out of every 10 people – show up to the office, but they’re not really showing up.
That’s a disaster.
The good news? We can fix it.
But who needs to change? Managers? Workers?
(a) The Case for Managers
Engagement starts at the top.
Yet, per a recent UK survey, 82% of managers have had zero formal training before stepping into leadership*. They’ve been promoted because they were good at their old job, not because they know how to manage people.
* CMI research: read more
And it shows:
❌ Poor communication
❌ Inconsistent leadership
❌ Lack of recognition or direction
Too many managers micromanage, ignore, or treat people like cogs in a machine. That kills engagement.
(b) The Case for Workers
But workers aren’t off the hook.
Scroll through LinkedIn, or work-related Instagram Reels, and you’ll see the same tired narrative: “My boss is an idiot. That’s why work sucks.”
Even as a boss, I was also still a worker. Engagement doesn’t just magically happen – it requires effort. It’s not a perk you’re handed – it’s something you create.
I’ve managed lazy workers – heck, I was one myself for a while – and they’ll blame everything except the person in the mirror, for why work isn’t working.
Workers who actually want more from their jobs:
✅ Take responsibility for their performance
✅ Look for ways to grow and improve
✅ Stop blaming their boss, co-workers, clients, or <insert next lame excuse>
At some point, we all need to ask:
🗣 What am I doing to make this situation better? What do I need to bring to the table?
(c) So, Who Needs to Change?
Both.
Managers need to stop being the reason people hate their jobs, and learn how to lead.
Workers need to step up and own their side of the engagement equation, instead of waiting to be spoon-fed motivation.
If both sides see the gap, they can bridge the gap.
How? Through honest conversations, building a culture where everyone brings their best to work each day.
Fix that, and you won’t have to deal with burnout, quiet quitting, poor results, or disengagement.
Because minding the gap isn’t hard … but falling into it is.
👇
Need to Mind the Gap?
Keen to be a boss who actually inspires your team, and yourself?
I can help – let’s talk 📞
