How leaders build engagement

How leaders build engagement with guest speaker Andrew Figtree

At Open Door we are keen to learn from the leaders in our workplaces who are making a difference. In particular, we continue our conversation this week around building engagement in the workplace. Therefore, we welcome back to the Coaching Café, Andrew ‘Figgy’ Figtree, former Group Captain with Air Force. Open Door has had a long association with Air Force building a coaching culture and delivering the Air Force Coaching Leadership Program.

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Quiet quitting is a real issue in our workplaces

We have shared Gallup’s recent research on the State of the Australian and New Zealand Workplace 2023. The report says engagement in our workplaces is only 20%, with 67% of employees in Australia and New Zealand ‘quiet quitting’. Furthermore, 13% actively disengaged.

Why are people quiet quitting?

Importantly, many of the reasons that people are quiet quitting are avoidable. These include:

Lack of recognition
In addition, lack of learning or repetitive work
No autonomy
And managers being unapproachable.

Particularly, have a listen to the Coaching Café last week and blog. We we focussed on great coaching questions to turn this around.

How leaders build engagement

In response to the issues with engagement in our workplace, we called on Figgy to share his leadership insights around building engagement.

Having just completed this module in his Diploma of Organisational Coaching (10835NAT), Figgy has been reflecting on his leadership and the critical link to coaching and engagement.

In response to lack of engagement being caused by managers being approachable, Figgy say the focus needs to be on being authentic. And he talks about the vulnerability of command.

Furthermore, encourages us to think about Brene Brown’s book Dare to Lead and her definition of leadership.

Where there is lack of clear goals, lack of respect and values misalignment, Figgy reminds us of the Simon Sinek presentation and the story of the Wright Brothers. Leading by example. In addition, thinking about what you believe and focussing on communication.

Furthermore, ‘no autonomy’ is an issue. In response, Figgy says managers should stop being the one to solve the problems. And don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good. Importantly, Figgy provides examples from his time in Command.

Time for our own reflection on engagement

In summary, this is just a snippet of the value leadership lessons on building engagement that Figgy has to offer. Therefore, we really encourage you to take the time and listen to the webinar or podcast on your favourite streaming service. And schedule some time for reflection on how we build engagement. Not to mention, focussing on great coaching questions and developing our managers to coach.

Together we can increase engagement in the workplace and turn around quiet quitting.

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