Are you moving the Engagement Dial?

Almost every action we take as leaders either supports or detracts from the well-known six areas of engagement.

We do the surveys, we hold the debrief sessions on the results, we listen (for a while) … and then ….. and please tell me you don’t do this… we try to fix it with after-work drinks, a Friday BBQ, or some other knee-jerk, short-term initiative.

I’m not dismissing the usefulness of engagement surveys. They can highlight patterns and start conversations. But let’s be honest, most of us already know what’s happening before the survey goes out. The data just puts numbers to what we already feel.

If we look across the different engagement models used by organisations and survey providers, the themes are remarkably consistent. The drivers of engagement tend to fall into six areas:

1.     Clarity and Impact – “I understand the bigger picture and how my work contributes.”

2.     Autonomy with Support – “I can choose how to do my work, and support is there when I need it.”

3.     Challenge and Interesting Work – “My work stretches me and keeps me interested.”

4.     Strong Relationships – “I have enjoyable, supportive interactions with peers, my leader, and stakeholders.”

5.     Psychological Safety – “I can be myself at work.”

6.     Feedback and Growth – “I am seen, recognised, and encouraged to develop.”

Now think about your last interaction with your team, or with one individual. If you had to score that moment across these six areas, what would it show? Did you move the dial up, down, or keep it neutral?

Engagement isn’t built through one big initiative or survey cycle. It happens in the small moments, in the conversations, the check-ins, the ways we make people feel visible, valued, and connected to purpose.

So, what are the habits of an engaging leader?

They start with intent and show up in action:

·       They connect work to purpose every day.

·       They give autonomy but stay available.

·       They stretch people with challenge, not stress.

·       They build trust through genuine curiosity and care.

·       They create safety by owning their own vulnerability.

·       And they give feedback and let people know that their effort is seen.

Every interaction is a chance to move the engagement dial. Which way are you turning it?