According to a recent Gallup Poll, seven in ten American workers are disengaged from their work.  That means that 70% of the people who get up and go to work every day are basically just going through the motions of their job, doing only what is necessary, in order to collect a paycheck at the end of the week.  That calculates (according to the same poll) to a whopping loss of $450 billion to $550 billion per year to our economy.

I don’t know about you, but that astounds me!  It also saddens me because life is just too short to be miserable every day or to be only going through the motions.  Where is the joy in that?  Why are so many missing the fulfillment that should accompany the work they do?

I don’t claim to know all of the answers to those questions, but I do know two main reasons for this alarming statistic.

Reason #1: Poor Work Relationships

The first reason is because of poor work relationships, either with a co-worker or a company leader.

Let’s face it, we have all worked alongside of or under someone who has caused us stress, given us a headache, or generally made it difficult to go to work each day.  We have all had situations where just the thought of having to deal with some particular person caused our stomach to churn and tie in knots.

When that happens, our tendency is to stay as far away from that person as possible.  We tend to tolerate them until we can figure out how to eliminate them!  That attitude keeps us from being actively engaged in the work that needs to be done and drains the energy and creativity right out of us.

Reason #2: The Wrong Environment

The second reason I believe so many American workers are disengaged is because they are doing work that has no meaning to them and does not come from a place of passion.

We all know that some plants need full sunlight while others do best in the shade.  Some need a lot of water while others prefer a drier climate.  We also know that you cannot feed every species of animal the same diet and that each species needs a different kind of environment in which to thrive.  People are no different.  Some need to be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a busy and highly interactive environment in order to be truly productive.  Others need quiet and seclusion to function best.

The problem is that many in the workplace have never taken the time to understand what kind of environment works best for them and what kind of work suits them.  Oh, they may realize that they aren’t happy doing what they currently do, but often they haven’t invested the time necessary to discover what would energize them and make going to work more pleasurable.

So, where can you get help if you find yourself in either of these situations (or both)?  The first, and I believe the best place to start is in understanding the DISC Model of Human Behavior.

When you understand how you are uniquely “wired,” can learn what your needs are and what kind of environment will cause you to thrive…not just survive.  You understand what motivates and energizes you, how you tend to make decisions and communicate.

Once that happens, you can also learn how other people tend to operate, what they need, and how they would like you to communicate with them.

The DISC Model of Human Behavior is the most powerful tool I know of to address both of these situations and help bring some resolution to this growing and alarming statistic!

If you would like to know more about the DISC Model of Human Behavior and how it can help you, go to my webite: www.align90.com. 

I am a speaker and trainer and would love the opportunity to present this powerful tool to your group or company. Find out more about me at www.align90.com.