Good Culture: What's Mental Health Got to Do With It?

“Every day, when I walk into work, I feel so good.”

An employee of a recent TENFOLD client made this statement during a live Q&A session for the group, and at that moment our work came full circle. Gallup recently published good news that employee engagement rates are on the rise in the U.S., indicating 34% of U.S. workers are “engaged” (tying highest rate in Gallup history) and just 13% of workers are “actively disengaged”, a new low in reporting. The bad news is that the majority, 53% of the workforce, is still “disengaged” at work.

WHAT IS THE REMAINING 53% OF THE WORKFORCE UP TO? CONTEMPLATING ANOTHER JOB.

These “not engaged” workers are generally satisfied but lack meaningful connection to their work – while they typically meet expectations, they are also considering whether the grass is greener on the other side and aren’t invested enough in their current yard to turn on the sprinklers. This covert disconnection can and does derail even the strongest strategy, hindering business health with high turnover and low morale.

SO HOW DO WE FLIP THIS SPECTRUM AND RECLAIM THAT 53%?

By recognizing this critical space between people and strategy is bridged by culture – the unspoken ethos of how you make decisions, motivate performance, course-correct obstacles, and celebrate wins. In the 21st century workplace, employees are looking for fulfilling work that connects them both mentally and emotionally to their company, coworkers, and customer, and they will make career choices based on these shared human needs.

Successful culture doesn’t just help people to do well – it also makes way for them to feel good.

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month and makes for an opportune moment to pause and evaluate your culture for engagement health. Does your culture support business and people in a mutually beneficial cycle, or will disengagement continue to weather your people and make them yearn for seemingly greener pastures?

CHOOSING BETWEEN SUPPORTING YOUR BUSINESS VERSUS YOUR PEOPLE IS AN EVAPORATING LEADERSHIP PARADIGM.

Proven by Gallup research and TENFOLD client testimony, leaders who design their culture to do the leg work for their strategy will not only outpace and outperform leaders who don’t – they’ll also create a space where people love to come to work.

Gallup, Inc. "Employee Engagement on the Rise in the U.S." Gallup.com. August 26, 2018. Accessed May 16, 2019. https://news.gallup.com/poll/241649/employee-engagement-rise.aspx.