With employee engagement hitting a 10 year low, what are humans looking for in a team and organization? And, what role does the employer and employee play?

For Full Show Notes Visit: https://www.jasonvbarger.com/podcast/employee-engagement-2-way-street/

Jason explores the shifting landscape of workplace commitment, revealing why high-performing organizations view engagement as a dynamic partnership rather than a top-down mandate.

Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others!

Summary:

With U.S. employee engagement hitting a ten-year low, leaders are facing a critical disconnect: while 90% of employees want to feel connected to their corporate culture, only 20% actually do. In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger examines the research-backed reality that engagement is a two-way street. He explores the "scarcity of care" in modern organizations and identifies the specific human needs—purpose, clarity, and contribution—that drive elite performance.

This conversation moves beyond standard HR metrics to address the core mechanics of human connection. Jason breaks down the substantial ROI of engagement, including a 22% increase in productivity and higher retention of top talent. He offers a strategic framework for transforming the employee experience through "two-way" hiring, 365-day cultural onboarding, and a shift from annual reviews to continuous coaching.

Essential listening for C-Suite executives, HR directors, and team leaders, this episode provides actionable insights on how to eliminate "cloudy" expectations and build a high-trust ecosystem where every member of the team owns the temperature of the culture.

Episode Notes & Timestamps:

[00:00] Intro: Jason sets the stage for why the best organizations are doubling down on engagement in a time of widespread disconnection.

[00:03] Defining Engagement: A look at engagement as emotional commitment—it's not "puppy dogs and ice cream," but a meaningful connection to organizational goals.

[00:04] The Gallup Data: An analysis of the current crisis: engagement at a 10-year low (31%) and the rising tide of active disengagement (17%).

[00:07] The Human Want List: Jason outlines the six things every human being needs from their employer, from feeling they matter to believing in the future being created.

[00:11] The ROI of Connection: Why engagement predicts work quality, safety, and profitability, and the $322 billion global cost of disengagement.

[00:13] The Clarity Gap: A discussion on why only 46% of employees know what is expected of them and how "cloudy" expectations lead to detachment.

[00:15] Strategy for the 2-Way Street: Why employers must lead the culture first to invite employees into a participatory partnership.

[00:17] Tactical Implementation: Jason explores how to weave engagement into the DNA of hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development.

[00:20] Closing Questions: Strategic inquiries for leaders to assess their current engagement efforts and vision clarity.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

Transactional to Transformational: Shift your hiring and onboarding from simple "check-the-box" tasks to 365-day cultural immersions.
Radical Clarity: Recognize that disengagement is often a symptom of ambiguity. Proactively define roles, goals, and cultural expectations.
The Scarcity of Care: With only 39% of people feeling cared for at work, individual recognition and person-centered leadership are your greatest competitive advantages.

Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/employee-engagement-2-way-street/

Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as we ll as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice.

Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger

Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com

Like or Follow Jason 👍

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/

X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger

Employee Engagement is a 2-Way Street