Today I’m going to give you ONE key to increasing the level of engagement with your team.

But before I share that, if you’re interested in diving deeply into improving team engagement and internal motivation within your people, I’d highly recommend the two books below:

• Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us
• The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement & Creativity at Work

Here’s my one simple question for you: “What do you do?”

Far too many CEO’s and leaders give an uninspired answer to that question. They focus on what they DO, not what their work CREATES in the world.

And their employees start to think the same way…their employees focus on their function within the organization, rather than WHY they’re doing it. They miss the meaningful difference their work makes in the world.

Case Study: Old Dominion Freight Line (see picture below)

I saw this truck while driving home from my son’s football game last month and I couldn’t resist. It’s the PERFECT example of what we’re talking about.

Could there be a more boring industry to be in? Shipping stuff via truck from one location to another. Wow…inspiring.

However, WHY are they shipping these items and what is the impact it creates on the world?

 “Helping the World Keep its Promises”

Could it just be hyperbole? It could. But my guess is that Old Dominion lives and breathes that mission because they’ve won DOZENS of national awards for their culture, customer service, and quality. (see link below!)

https://www.odfl.com/us/en/about/od-difference/awards.html

Want a more engaged team?

First, YOU need to get clear on your mission as a company. Clarify not just what you do, but why you do it and how it directly makes a meaningful difference in the world.

Second, ensure EACH MEMBER of the team in EACH DEPARTMENT is crystal clear on not only what they’re supposed to do, but why, and how their work is meaningful to the people you’re serving.

Answering that critical question: “What do you do?” with conviction and passion is one of the hallmark keys to creating a higher performing, more engaged team.

When your people believe their work makes a meaningful difference, they’ll be more engaged, more creative, and seek a higher level of excellence in their work.