#102 | 7.11.25 - Q&A - "Help! My People are Quiet Quitting!" / Disney's Hug Rule / 10 Powerful Coaching Questions for Difficult Decisions / Living Wage Calculator
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Q&A – "Help! My People Are Quiet Quitting!"
I recently received this question from Kayla, who hails from my home state of Montana:
“I’ve noticed that several members of my team seem disengaged—they’re doing just enough to get by, but I can see that the spark is gone. I’m worried this ‘quiet quitting’ is spreading, and I’m not sure how to address it without coming across as accusatory or out of touch. How can I re-engage my team and create an environment where people want to go above and beyond again?” – Kayla
Thanks for the question, Kayla. It’s a challenge many leaders are facing right now. Quiet quitting has become a buzzword, but you bring up an important point - the conversation often misses the leader’s perspective. While much of the narrative focuses on employees checking out, leaders are left wondering: Why is this happening, and what can I do about it?
The truth is, quiet quitting isn’t just about disengaged employees—it’s often a symptom of deeper leadership and organizational issues.
A recent Gallup study found that at least half of U.S. employees are “quiet quitting”—doing the minimum required and emotionally checking out. The study also mentions that the trend is especially pronounced among younger and remote workers, and it’s costing organizations billions in lost productivity. Globally, disengagement is estimated to cost $8.8 trillion, or 9% of global GDP.
What Leaders Can Do
If you’re noticing signs of quiet quitting on your team, it’s time to take action. Here are practical, research-backed steps to re-engage your people:
1. Check In Regularly
Have honest, one-on-one conversations: Go beyond status updates—ask how your team members are really doing.
Listen without judgment: Sometimes, just being heard can make a big difference.
Act on feedback: Show that you value their input by following up. This one is KEY!
2. Celebrate the Good, Address the Bad
I’ve written about this before, but the best definition of culture I’ve heard is it’s the sum of what you celebrate, minus what you tolerate. With that in mind:
Celebrate the good - Not everyone values the same type of acknowledgment. Ask employees how they like to be recognized, and be specific in your praise.
Address the bad - Before correcting a “bad apple,” diagnose the root cause. Sometimes disengagement is a symptom of broader issues, not just individual behavior. If an underperforming employee is the issue, I’ve written specific steps for that here.
3. Promote Work-Life Balance
Set and model healthy boundaries: Encourage people to take breaks and disconnect after hours, leading by example. Show your team what it looks like to prioritize well-being.
4. Offer Growth and Purpose
Provide clear pathways for advancement: Help people see how they can grow within the organization.
Offer stretch assignments and mentorship: Go beyond training—give employees opportunities to lead projects or develop new skills.
The Bottom Line
I believe quiet quitting is a wake-up call for leaders. The solution is a deeper connection, trust, and a genuine investment in your people’s growth and well-being. The best advice I can give you? Have real conversations with your team to find out what’s going on and how you can help!
Disney’s Hug Rule
I recently heard about this from another source, so I’m glad it resurfaced on IG. A great insight into Disney’s culture, as well as something to implement in life!
10 Powerful Coaching Questions for Difficult Decisions
This article is full of great thinking models and questions to get you thinking through that big decision.
Living Wage Calculator
I don’t know why I found this as interesting as I did, but this website from MIT lets you see what a living wage is across the US, broken down by state and county. Pretty cool.
Underrated social skill: Activation energy. The common social protocol is to walk into a room and mirror everyone's energy. Instead, my favorite people come in like an energy wrecking ball and set the tone of the whole room. Tony Robbins calls this "honey I'm home" energy - how you walk through the door when you come home. It only takes 2 minutes of energy, but your kids and spouse will always remember how it feels when you come home.
- George Mack