Manager Engagement is the Key to Thriving Teams

Are your managers fully engaged? If not, the cost to your team’s potential—and your bottom line—could be substantial.

Only 30% of managers and 23% of employees worldwide were engaged in 2023. That’s a costly gap. When managers aren’t engaged, productivity drops, innovation stalls, and profitability takes a hit. Engagement is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Gallup’s research shows that 70% of the variance in team engagement is directly linked to the manager. When managers are energized and aligned, teams collaborate, innovate and deliver results.

Why Manager Engagement Matters

Engaged managers don’t just improve their own performance—they lift entire teams. They inspire purpose, drive collaboration, and align efforts in ways that resonate across departments and impact customer relationships.

Countries with higher manager engagement are twice as likely to see engaged non-managers. Engagement spreads fast when leaders prioritize team growth and well-being.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Manager engagement drives team performance. Here’s why it matters.

• Profitability: Engaged managers boost team profitability by 21%.

• Attendance & Productivity: They reduce absenteeism by 41% and raise productivity by 17%.

• Innovation: Engaged leaders foster collaboration that sparks fresh ideas.

The Energy-Impact Model highlights that positive energy within a team—especially from an engaged manager—leads to exponential impact, fueling deeper collaboration and ongoing innovation. Engaged managers turn potential into performance.

How to Build a Culture of Manager Engagement

Boost engagement and growth by empowering your managers.

Invest in leadership development. Self-aware, well-trained managers strengthen team capacity and resilience. Training and coaching equip them with the empathy, purpose and skills that boost performance across the board.

Strengthen feedback loops. Feedback isn’t just input; it’s a tool for alignment. By gathering and acting on team feedback, managers address issues before they escalate and keep productivity on track.

Prioritize relationships over results. When trust is high, so is loyalty and performance. Managers who build trust and recognize their teams create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated.

Turning Insight into Action

Understanding the impact of manager engagement is just the start—taking action is what drives results. Here’s how to begin.

Ask employees what they need. Check in regularly about growth goals. Aligning development opportunities with team aspirations boosts motivation and loyalty.

Invest in growth programs. Look at your learning and development offerings. If they’re thin, now’s the time to strengthen them with formal and informal opportunities that re-energize teams.

Lead by example. Growth starts at the top. When leaders embrace development, they inspire the organization to do the same. Share your own growth journey, foster curiosity, and build a culture that values learning.

Supercharge Your Team’s Potential

Imagine a workplace where every manager is a catalyst for engagement, sparking innovation and performance across the board. Ready to make that vision a reality?

Download my guide, 50 Easy Power-Ups to Supercharge Your Team and start energizing your managers today.