The #1 Engagement Strategy You’re Ignoring

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Hey Spark Family,

Global engagement is slipping, and wellbeing is declining right along with it. Gallup’s 2025 report shows managers are right at the center of this story.

Managers account for up to 70 percent of the variance in team engagement, yet their own engagement and wellbeing are falling faster than those they lead. When managers are stretched thin, their teams disengage. When managers thrive, their teams follow.

The Research Is Clear

➡ Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2025: Managers drive up to 70% of team engagement, but their own wellbeing is dropping at higher rates than employees.
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➡ Deloitte 2025 Human Capital Trends: Leaders’ toughest challenge is balancing performance with human wellbeing, and managers are often caught in the middle.

➡ Gallup data: Teams with thriving managers are more engaged, more resilient, and less likely to burn out.

What I'm Seeing In The Field

I coach many leaders who rely on managers as the steady bridge between strategy and execution. But when managers are exhausted, unclear, or unsupported, their teams feel the impact immediately. Engagement weakens. Retention drops. Burnout spreads.

The opposite is also true. When managers feel supported with clarity, recognition, and space to grow, they buffer stress and build resilience. Their teams thrive because their leaders have the energy and capacity to lead with intention.

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What We Teach Leaders Inside Spark Brilliance

Manager wellbeing is not optional. It is the most powerful lever for engagement. Supporting managers looks like:

• Providing clarity instead of ambiguity
• Recognizing their contributions as much as their teams’
• Equipping them with growth opportunities, not just more tasks

When managers are trusted, healthy, and empowered, the ripple effects lift engagement across the entire organization.

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🌟 Your Challenge This Week

Ask yourself:
​“Am I supporting my managers in the same way I expect them to support their teams?”

Choose one small action to take this week:

• Simplify or remove a task that drains time
• Recognize a manager’s impact in a meaningful way
• Create space for growth or mentorship

Small acts of support ripple outward to entire teams.

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With gratitude,
​Jackie

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P.S. – If you’re seeing manager burnout or declining engagement in your organization, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Simply hit reply to explore how Spark Brilliance can help you support your managers, strengthen engagement, and create sustainable performance. ✨

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