It's about feeling valued, being heard, and making an impact.
I'm often asked by my coaching clients: "How do you keep employees motivated, committed, and engaged?"
There's a lot of discussion and research around connecting employees to an organization's purpose, mission, and strategy.
And I'll admit, during my years leading teams, I often struggled with the same question. What really made some of my team members tick?
Last week, I was listening to the podcast Leadership: The Secret Sauce, and guest Shawn Minard shared a simple but powerful lesson:
All people want to:
Feel valued
Be understood
Make an impact
I thought, what a great framework for answering the WHAT behind employee engagement.
But then I applied a coaching mindset to each element. And that's where the real opportunity lies.
The HOW.
FEEL VALUED: Be curious.
Invite your team members into the conversation. Ask meaningful questions that demonstrate you value their thinking and perspectives.
"What do you think we should do in this situation?"
BE UNDERSTOOD: Really listen.
Don't jump into problem-solving mode. Listen to understand, not just respond. Paraphrase what you're hearing to demonstrate understanding.
"What else should I understand about your perspective?"
MAKE AN IMPACT: Connect the dots.
We often miss the opportunity to help employees see how their individual contributions connect to something bigger.
"What connection do you see between this project and our overall strategy?"
Here's my takeaway.
Engagement isn't just about communicating purpose. It's about creating meaningful connections through curiosity, thoughtful questions, and intentional listening.
And sometimes, the most powerful thing a leader can do is stop talking and start asking.
What question could you ask your team this week to help them feel valued, understood, or connected to their impact?
Inspired by Leadership: The Secret Sauce, "What Leaders Really Want From Coaches: Part Three," featuring Shawn Minard (November 2, 2026).
