Quiet Quitting Isn't the Problem. Your Environment Is.
- Kick Ass Zombie Hunter
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
There's a lot of talk recently about "Quiet Quitting" and honestly, it's just another fancy way of saying an organization ignored an engaged employee for far too long.
No one just wakes up one day and decides to check out. It happens slowly over time. Little by little, a once motivated and energized employee begins to pull back and it's not because they're lazy, but because something in their environment is missing. Something has made them feel undervalued, unheard, or unsupported.
The Red Flags 🚩
They stop bringing their creative ideas to meetings.
They nod along in meetings but don't actually engage (artificial harmony is real, watch for it).
They show up, do their work, and leave, completely disengaged from conversations.
They enthusiasm for projects they once cared so deeply about, has now disappeared.
They no longer seek feedback or learning and growth opportunities.
There are so many red flags right under our noses. And yet the judgment kicks in to believe that it's a lack of work ethic. When really it's about an environment that no longer fuels motivation and engagement.
If this is happening on your team, the questions we should be exploring are:
Why have they stopped?
Was there a specific event that triggered this shift?
Have they been provided with meaningful work?
Do they feel recognized, appreciated, and valued?
And this one is our favourite because it's the simplest question to ask and yet it is often the most overlooked. What would make this a better place for you to work?
This "Quiet Quitting" isn't an employee problem. It's a workplace problem. If you want people to re-engage, start by fixing the environment.
Team Human Conversation
Fight workplace zombies in your organization and join Team Human! Gather a group of fellow workplace zombie hunters to discuss our most recent blog post. Use the questions below to kick-start your conversation.
What red flags have you noticed in our team, and how have we responded to them? If we haven't responded to them, how can we?
What's one thing you can do today to make your employees feel more values and engaged?
Have you ever asked an employee directly what would make this a better place for you to work? If so, what did you learn?
