How Engaged Is Your Team, Really?

The authors’ research suggests that a third of teams appear engaged in the eyes of management but also exhibit deeper signs of disengagement, such as antipathy toward colleagues and dishonesty to managers. It turns out that these teams are made up of people who are highly engaged at an individual level—and eager to further their own careers—but just aren’t invested in their teams. Managers should watch out for a lack of teamwork, employees who bend the rules to appear productive, or who promote themselves at the expense of their teams. They can remedy the situation by establishing team-based metrics and goals, creating opportunities for team members to recognize each other’s work, and emphasizing the importance of the team’s work together.