Have you ever pondered the source of your daily motivation, driving you to rise each morning and head to work? What sustains your engagement throughout the day, amidst a group of colleagues who aren’t part of your immediate family or circle of loved ones?

For those in managerial roles, have you ever keenly observed team members who seem disheartened, anxiously counting down the hours until the workday concludes?

Workforce demotivation, a global phenomenon

A Gallup study shows that only  15% of employees across the globe feel engaged in their workplace, which leaves a staggering 85% of the global workforce demotivated at work. The situation is particularly dire in Europe, where a mere 10% of employees find themselves motivated. These statistics underscore a severe global workforce crisis, painting a bleak picture of widespread dissatisfaction among the majority of individuals in their professional environments.

The 12 questions that will change everything

The good news is that managers and team leaders have substantial leverage to create a conducive work environment, thus enhancing the chance that staff members feel valued and motivated at work.

Drawing on over 30 years of measuring employee engagement, Gallup has identified 12 essential questions. When answered affirmatively, these questions serve as reliable predictors of employee motivation and staff engagement.

In my coaching sessions with managers or teams facing demotivation, I systematically delve into each of these questions. The goal is to ensure that, by the end of the process, a majority can be answered with a resounding YES. Are you curious about these questions, the levers that every manager can employ to cultivate a thriving team?