Quiet Quitting - What it is and what to do about it.

Do you know any “quiet quitters”? This is a concept coined and popularised by Gallup to describe specific category of disengaged employees within the workforce.

The term emphasises that these employees quietly disengage from their work, often leading to reduced productivity and negative effects on the overall workplace environment. I don’t think this attitude only relates to work though.

Last week, when visiting Christchurch, I was talking to a secondary school teacher. When I asked him “what is the biggest challenge your students currently face?” he responded “Apathy”. He went on to share behaviour which sounded almost identical to an employee who is lacking engagement.

The more I reflect on it, the more I think that “quietly quitting” is behaviour that could show up anywhere – homelife, school, work or even within our own individual well-being and health. Gallup suggests that a “quiet quitter” can thrive at work with a better manager.

So who in your life is in need of a better manager or better management strategies? By acknowledging their presence, we can open doors to communication, offer support, and work towards re-engagement. Just like in the workplace, understanding individual needs and motivations can help us unlock their potential for growth and positive change.

Increasing engagement and connection should be a universal goal, not one simply limited to work. I hope this insight can also be useful for you and those you care about.