Balancing Team Engagement With Productivity Goals

Why don’t organizations place a greater emphasis on creating meaningful engagement in the workplace? Given the pivotal role that connection plays in fulfilling our fundamental human need for social interaction, I believe it’s warranted. Is there any ‘downside’ in doing something as simple as; regularly meeting with the people on your team, building relationships, discuss performance, and identify developmental needs? You know, being real with people, true engagement. Knowing and understanding your team is a "strategy execution principle." It’s importance spans well beyond effective team building and crosses over into on-the-job happiness, productivity, and belonging while also helping to drive your organization’s success. Sure, I agree that no one likes wasting time with useless gatherings; however, an every 30-day individual check-in or "progress meeting" can provide significant value for every manager and their direct reports. Taking the time to solely focus on an individual's performance and working to proactively understand their needs and develop their potential is a model for engagement with a high rate of return. Organizations that execute well make these meetings mandatory scheduling them with the expectation that they be held. I’m talking about an allocation of 45-60 minutes each month, using the time to listen to and focus on each team member.   These are not a series of monthly performance reviews, they are coaching, guiding, and leadership development sessions. The outcomes your organization receives from these efforts are three-fold: 1) You leaders grow by making a personal investment in the relationships they have with their people, 2) The space is being created for consistent conversations of consequence to occur, 3) You're guaranteeing that every team member knows their role and what is expected from them. This is where the execution occurs. Both parties build trust and respect, work collaboratively, and invest themselves in the success of the business. Believe it or not, this connection drives results. The organization gains a quality understanding of every team member's capabilities from each session. They know what each team member does best, who they work well with, and how to lead and challenge them. THIS IS NOT AN EXERCISE IN DOCUMENTING PERFORMANCE. It's about creating a partnership, based on mutual benefit, where two parties are committed to each other’s success. A bond is established that says when a team member fails at something, their leaders recognize they have also failed. They work together to improve. This is true engagement. "Is dedicating just 60 minutes each month to focus on your team's individual performance too high a price for a more engaged, happy, and productive workforce? Think about it. What commitment is your organization making for your team members? Your organization's success? #leadership #progress #employeeengagement #execution

High-pressure leadership doesn’t drive results. It drives quiet-quitting and burnout. I’ve seen leaders unintentionally create high-pressure environments that exhaust teams instead of driving results. A few warning signs to watch for: 🔹 Frequent mistakes or missed deadlines. 🔹 Noticeable drops in energy or enthusiasm. 🔹 Rising absenteeism or signs of disengagement. How to proceed: 1. Focus on What Matters ↳ Communicate key priorities. ↳ Eliminate non-essential tasks. 2. Promote Balance ↳ Set manageable workloads. ↳ Model balance, lead by example. 3. Foster Two-Way Feedback ↳ Check-in often, not just on progress. ↳ Actively listen and adjust where needed. 4. Delegate with Confidence ↳ Assign tasks aligned with strengths. ↳ Trust their process and provide guidance. 5. Streamline Workflow Processes ↳ Find ways to simplify repetitive tasks. ↳ Provide the right tools for the job at hand. 6. Rotate Factory Tasks ↳ Shifting tasks helps reduce monotony. ↳ Introduce opportunities to promote learning. 7. Set Realistic Deadlines ↳ Balance urgency with achievable timelines. ↳ Avoid pushing teams to operate in crisis mode. Leadership isn’t about pressure - it’s about building trust, balance, and sustainable success. Create an environment where your team can perform at their best, safely! #BuildingLeaders #Manufacturing 👉 What’s one strategy I might be missing? Tell me below!

One of the hardest balances to master as a leader is staying informed about your team’s work without crossing the line into micromanaging them. You want to support them, remove roadblocks, and guide outcomes without making them feel like you’re hovering. Here’s a framework I’ve found effective for maintaining that balance: 1. Set the Tone Early Make it clear that your intent is to support, not control. For example: “We’ll need regular updates to discuss progress and so I can effectively champion this work in other forums. My goal is to ensure you have what you need, to help where it’s most valuable, and help others see the value you’re delivering.” 2. Create a Cadence of Check-Ins Establish structured moments for updates to avoid constant interruptions. Weekly or biweekly check-ins with a clear agenda help: • Progress: What’s done? • Challenges: What’s blocking progress? • Next Steps: What’s coming up? This predictability builds trust while keeping everyone aligned. 3. Ask High-Leverage Questions Stay focused on outcomes by asking strategic questions like: • “What’s the biggest risk right now?” • “What decisions need my input?” • “What’s working that we can replicate?” This approach keeps the conversation productive and empowering. 4. Define Metrics and Milestones Collaborate with your team to define success metrics and use shared dashboards to track progress. This allows you to stay updated without manual reporting or extra meetings. 5. Empower Ownership Show your trust by encouraging problem-solving: “If you run into an issue, let me know your proposed solutions, and we’ll work through it together.” When the team owns their work, they’ll take greater pride in the results. 6. Leverage Technology Use tools like Asana, Jira, or Trello to centralize updates. Shared project platforms give you visibility while letting your team focus on execution. 7. Solicit Feedback Ask your team: “Am I giving you enough space, or would you prefer more or less input from me?” This not only fosters trust but also helps you refine your approach as a leader. Final Thought: Growing up playing sports, none of my coaches ever suited up and got in the game with the players on the field. As a leader, you should follow the same discipline. How do you stay informed without micromanaging? What would you add? #leadership #peoplemanagement #projectmanagement #leadershipdevelopment