In a recent Industry Insights article, we shared stats from Gallup’s State of the Global Workforce 2025 report. The key takeaway? Employee engagement is low and slipping further. But while the trend is global, the actions you take at a team level can make a real difference.

Here are some practical tips team leaders can implement to improve engagement right now.

Start with purpose

People want to know their work means something. Make time to show how individual tasks link to wider goals. This doesn’t need to be formal. A quick mention in a team meeting or one-to-one can help people see the value in what they do.

Focus on strengths

Most people are more engaged when they use their strengths at work. Pay attention to what each individual team member does well. Delegate accordingly. A bit of flexibility can go a long way in helping people feel trusted and capable.

Have regular conversations

Ongoing check-ins build trust and show you care. They don’t need to be long or formal. A few minutes to ask how things are going can open up important conversations. Listen more than you speak. And avoid turning every catch-up into a to-do list review.

Support development

Give people opportunities to learn and grow. This might mean offering training, pairing them with a colleague or letting them try something new. Development doesn’t always mean promotion - it can be as simple as learning a skill or taking on a new challenge.

Be a caring manager

How you show up matters. Engagement is shaped by day-to-day behaviour, not one-off gestures. Be available. Follow up. Celebrate progress. Ask what people need and act on it.

Lead by example

If you want your team to be switched on, you need to be too. Show interest in people. Be open about challenges. Be the kind of leader you’d want to follow.

Looking for new ideas to establish a stronger, more engaged team? Take a look at our team building experiences or get in touch for a chat.