So-called “quiet quitting” is marked as a new trend, but employee engagement statistics have been at incredibly low levels for many years now. This lack of engagement is driven in large part by a fundamental lack of meaning many people are finding in their work.

That lack of real connection was underlined by a recent study from Harvard Business School, which highlighted that engagement at work doesn’t come from money but rather from the connections we have with our colleagues, our organization, and the work itself.

Psychological needs

The researchers believe that this stems from a belief among employers that all that is needed is a contractual relationship when the reality is that it’s much more of an emotional investment from employees into their work. This requires, however, a change in mindset at both a macro and micro level.

For instance, at the macro level, the researchers advocate companies sending employees a clear message that they’re valued and not disposable. On a micro level, companies might consider helping employees to find a greater sense of purpose at work and adopt a more servant leadership approach.

That the authors believe high achievers are especially susceptible to quiet quitting should prompt organizations and managers to rethink their approach so that employees remain engaged and fulfilled.

“The most effective leaders are those that have created mechanisms to find out what’s going on inside other people’s heads quickly,” the authors explain.

Of course, this shouldn’t be a great surprise to managers and the need for more relatable management has been evident for many years. If the “quiet quitting” trend helps to move us towards better management after all these years then it’s perhaps been worthwhile.

“If we focus on how, at the micro level, we can restore a sense of purpose, ensure that the significance of work is recognized, and cultivate enduring connections,” the authors conclude, “then we can together make extraordinary progress toward making our system one in which it could be worth living—and one that people would believe is worth preserving.”