At a friend’s wedding many years ago, I watched something beautiful, and honestly, a little ridiculous, unfold. Dinner had wrapped. The cake had been cut. It was officially time for dancing. Only one problem, the dance floor was empty. Then it happened. The DJ queued up The Chicken Dance. The
The Executive Team That Got It Right Picture this: a workplace where people show up genuinely excited to contribute. Where trust and connection aren’t just cheesy posters in the breakroom, they’re the default setting. Where engagement isn’t driven by generic programs, but by leaders who know their people and treat
We are the most connected generation in history, yet loneliness rates have doubled since the 1980s. I experienced this new isolated world firsthand during a cross-country trip from NYC to LA. From the moment I left my place in NYC, everything ran like clockwork. It was efficient and smooth, but
As if Gallup’s reporting that 51% of workers are disengaged and 17% are actively disengaged weren’t already cause for concern, look just beneath the surface and the picture gets worse. This isn’t mild apathy, it’s active disconnection. Employees aren’t just a little off. They’ve mentally packed up and left. Checked
I arrived early to set up for an all-hands team meeting, one of those “let’s take a beat and reconnect” sessions the leadership team had asked for. The goal was simple: increase connection, boost engagement, and remind people why their work mattered. I’ve led sessions like this hundreds of times.
A small surprise at work can do what emails and flyers never will, it wakes people up. In the world of Dance Floor Theory™ we call these types of activities Plot Twists. Plot Twists are designed to pull Neutrals out of autopilot and get them to pay attention. A great
Seeing their manager as a baby gave the group more energy than a double espresso shot. Not literally, of course. But instead of her usual bookshelf Zoom background, she had swapped in an old baby photo of herself, bald head, gummy smile, the works. The effect was instant. Everyone on
Bridgewater is an investment firm that has nearly $100 billion in assets under management, but founder Ray Dalio says his most valuable asset isn’t capital, it’s his people. And his secret to keeping them engaged? A $500 bill. Bridgewater’s $500 Secret While most companies give you a branded stress ball
Americans now spend more time with their pets than they do with their friends. This is great news for Fido. Not so great for your workplace. Your dog has probably heard more about your work week than your friends or co-workers. The Social Fitness Crisis and Workplace Loneliness Derek Thompson,
He wasn’t storming out, slamming doors, or sending fiery resignation emails. He was just… fading. This is what disengagement looks like before it turns into quiet quitting. Marcus had been with the company for almost five years. He usually got his work done on time. It was nothing special, but
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