Snack 22: The Real Secret to Employee Engagement (Hint: It’s Not Ping-Pong or Pizza Parties)

In today’s snack-sized dose of Workday Playdate, Erin’s serving up a spicy truth: no amount of kombucha or karaoke can fix what’s really broken when it comes to employee engagement. The Problem: Only 33% of U.S. employees are engaged at work. And, spoiler alert: swag won’t save us. Connection is the missing link, not cold brew on tap. The Improv Hack to Try: The Scene Partner Swap Flip the script. Instead of waiting for someone else to boost morale, ask: If I were my boss or teammate… how would I help ME feel more engaged? Then act from that mindset for one week. Engagement isn’t entertainment, it’s a feedback loop. Start it. Why it works: Improv teaches us to make our scene partner look good. This mindset shift invites ownership, empathy, and action from any seat in the org chart. Wednesday Tease: Episode 299 — “Want to Nail Employee Engagement? Here’s What Actually Works (No Gimmicks Needed)” featuring Dr. Angela Jackson. Get the real drivers of motivation, leadership, and growth path design, no pizza party required. Feeling stretched thin but still trying to “stay positive”? Grab our free Positivity Without Pretending Toolkit. It’s a quick, honest reset for people leaders who want to show up without faking it. In five minutes or less, you’ll reframe, refuel, and lead with heart (even when you're running on fumes). Download it now and take the pressure off. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) · Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy. · Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode. · Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.” · Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back. · Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here . Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! · Erin’s website · Erin’s Instagram · Erin’s TikTok · Erin’s LinkedIn · improve it!’s website · improve it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .