The engagement of American workers in their jobs remains alarmingly low, with fewer than one-third of employees showing active involvement and enthusiasm for their work, according to Gallup. This trend has persisted since 2000, when Gallup began measuring workplace engagement in the U.S.

Gallup defines engaged employees as those who are deeply committed to their work and workplace, displaying enthusiasm and involvement. However, the majority of employees exhibit indifference, going through their workday without a genuine focus on their performance or their organization's success. This lack of engagement puts critical economic factors like growth and innovation in jeopardy.

Gallup's recent report, titled "State of the American Manager: Analytics and Advice for Leaders," delves into the characteristics of effective managers and explores the significant connections between talent, engagement, and key business outcomes such as profitability and productivity. The research emphasizes that managers have a substantial impact, accounting for at least 70% of variance in employee engagement scores. Given the concerning state of employee engagement in the U.S., many managers are failing to establish environments that foster motivation and comfort. A Gallup study involving 7,272 U.S. adults revealed that half of them had left their job at some point to escape their manager, aiming to improve their overall life.

Being under the leadership of a poor manager can have a detrimental impact in more ways than one: employees experience discontent while at work, and that unhappiness tends to persist outside of work, compounding stress and negatively affecting overall well-being. Yet, simply labeling a manager as "bad" or "good" is insufficient. Organizations must gain insight into what specific behaviors managers exhibit in the workplace that contribute to or hinder engagement. Another study involving 7,712 U.S. adults found that certain behaviors linked to communication, performance management, and strengths strongly correlate with employee engagement. By understanding these behaviors, organizations can better develop their managers and elevate overall business performance.