Too many business owners, executives, and HR leaders have bought into a simplification of “employee engagement” that centers around welcoming gestures, social connection, and culture programs.

This episode is a wake-up call. Engagement isn’t defined by warm memories or team lunches—it’s the result of a system of execution: clarity on expectations, priorities, feedback, and performance.

We’ll unpack why chasing connection without performance standards is a recipe for burnout, mediocrity, and disappointed teams. If you lead people, this episode pulls no punches about what actually matters — and what you’re responsible for.

Episode 45: Why Your Best People Check Out (Even When Culture Feels Strong)

Too many CEOs, executives, and HR “leaders” confuse employee engagement with warmth, belonging, and connection. They chase flowers on the desk, welcome lunches, culture committees, and potlucks as if those things areengagement. They’re not.

This episode is for founders and executives who want to cut through the groupthink and understand the real drivers of employee engagement.

• Why memories of warmth and belonging create nostalgia but not engagement
• What actually matters most to employees: performance and clarity
• How engagement emerges from a system of execution, not events or perks
• What CEOs and managers can systemize—and what they can’t mandate
• Why delegating engagement to HR creates moments, not momentum

Engagement isn’t about being nice or comfortable—it’s about building systems of clarity and respect that make performance inevitable.

Reflection Questions:

• What parts of “engagement” have you delegated that actually belong to you as the leader?
• Are your performance expectations clear—to you and to your team?
• Where have you confused being friendly with giving real feedback and holding people accountable?

Links and Resources

The Next Question Guide → NextQuestionGuide.com

LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/jamesmayhew

Website → JamesMayhew.com