Employee Engagement has become a buzzword in today’s organizations. What keeps people engaged in their work? How do we get employees to apply their ‘discretionary effort’ on behalf of the company? It’s got me thinking about Employee Disengagement as one way to heighten engagement.
I began my corporate career as an Employee Health Coordinator. It was the 80s and their was a lot of support for wellness and fitness programs. As it turned out most of my clients were those who were already well and fit but in receptive spots we had fun implementing new programs. 
One memorable program had an entire department committed to taking little stretch breaks three times a day. Once in the morning and twice in the afternoon they would all stand up and do some reaches and stretches together. They laughed and, goofy as it was, they enjoyed the break from their terminals.
Just last week I spent a few days in Marrakech. What a stimulating city! There was so much to take in and the very scent of the air was spicy. Most notable to me were the calls to prayer. Several times a shopkeeper or guide excused himself and said he’d return in 5 minutes. He would then slip off to the nearby mosque or join others in a central area to focus and pray. Lovely.
Whether you work from home or in a cube it is easy to stay tethered to your work. And I’m all for focus and concentration. But there is a diminishing return.
So, this week I am practicing DISENGAGEMENT.
Every two hours or less I am stepping away from the computer and doing some office stretches. Or lying on the grass and contemplating the clouds. Or petting my dog. Anything that resets my brain and gives me perspective. Because I can return to my tasks with oxygen in my brain and a little less cortisol in my system.
Employee Disengagement? I’m all for it.
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