MODERN LEADERSHIP
Wake up call: what to do when
your team are checked out
By Karen Gately
D
oes your team check out before
the day is over? Do you feel like
the people on your team are
falling asleep on the job? Recognise
the signs of disengagement. Reflect
for a moment on how often you
observe talented people in your
business fail to reach their potential.
Do some have the capability and
yet choose to behave in ways that
undermine their success? No matter
how capable people are unless they
choose to invest their talents and
energy in their role they are unlikely
to succeed. If the people on your
team are checked are, chances are
your businesses performance is
suboptimal.
58 ModernBusiness
June 2016
Recognising the signs of
disengagement
Five common signs people are
‘checked out’ include these:
1. Absenteeism. When people
lack motivation even the challenge of
getting out of bed and into work can
feel insurmountable. Observe when
people are taking an unusual amount
of unplanned time off. Look also for
common patterns such as regularly
been away either side of weekends.
2. Lack of discretionary effort.
When people start doing only as
much as they feel they have to,
chances are they are disengaged.
People who are fully invested in
their role voluntarily go the extra
mile, don’t have to be asked to
support other people on the team
and willingly strive to reach goals or
deadlines.
3. Absence of teamwork.
Disengaged people tend to focus
on what they need to achieve and
avoid participating in the group.
They are more likely to palm off
responsibilities and fail to step
forward when the team needs them
to.
4. Suboptimal productivity.
Notice how focused people are and
how well they use their time and
resources to get their job done.