# Fostering a Culture of Engagement is Key to Combating Employee Disengagement and Quiet Quitting

By Geoffrey Roche · Published 2024-06-12 · Updated 2026-05-19 · Healthcare on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/healthcare/fostering-a-culture-of-engagement-is-key-to-combating-employee-disengagement-and-quiet-quitting

> Leaders are discovering that reversing historically low engagement rates requires moving beyond surface-level retention tactics to build workplaces where employ

## Key points

- Employee disengagement and quiet quitting are at historically high levels in healthcare, requiring structural cultural change — not just perks or retention bonuses.
- Effective engagement strategies center on psychological safety, purpose-driven work, and authentic recognition from leadership.
- Leaders must move from transactional management to relationship-based cultures to sustainably reduce turnover and improve workforce morale.

Block Field

Employee engagement in the U.S. workforce has reached an alarming 11-year low, with only 30% of employees actively engaged at work, according to [Gallup](https://www.gallup.com/workplace/643286/engagement-hits-11-year-low.aspx#:~:text=In%20the%20latest%20reading%2C%20from,than%202020's%20high%20of%2036%25.). This significant drop in engagement and rise in disengagement highlights a pressing challenge for leaders across various industries on how to foster a culture where employees feel motivated and valued.

What strategies can leaders implement to transform disengagement into proactive engagement within their organizations?

“[Holistic Leadership: The Future of Work & Education in Healthcare](https://marketscale.com/shows/holistic-leadership-the-future-of-work-education-in-healthcare/),” hosted by [Geoffrey M. Roche](https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreymroche/), features [**Tom Willis**,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasawillis/) co-founder and partner at [**Phoenix Performance Partners**](https://www.phoenixperform.com/) and author of “[The Great Engagement: How CEOs Create Exceptional Cultures.](https://www.amazon.com/Great-Engagement-Create-Exceptional-Cultures/dp/1544539665)” Together, they delve into the intricacies of fostering a culture of engagement in the workplace.

**Key Points of Discussion:**

- **Engagement as the Antidote to Resignation**: Willis emphasizes that focusing on engagement, rather than resignation, can counteract the trend of “quiet quitting” and disengagement. Focusing on engagement, rather than resignation, can counteract the trend of “quiet quitting” and disengagement.— Tom Willis, Co-founder and Partner at Phoenix Performance Partners 
- **Creating a Culture of Belonging and Psychological Safety**: Effective leadership requires balancing psychological safety with encouraging employees to exercise psychological courage.
- **Leadership’s Role in Stress Alleviation**: Leaders need to adopt a strategic approach to reduce workplace stress, ensuring a more supportive and productive environment.

### About the Guest

**Tom Willis** is a seasoned leader with a diverse background in education, consulting, and executive management. He has served as CEO of Cornerstone and worked as a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and an engineer at Intel Corporation. With degrees from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, Willis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role at **Phoenix Performance Partners**. He is also the author of “The Great Engagement: How CEOs Create Exceptional Cultures.”

Tags: leadership strategy, Phoenix Performance Partners, quiet quitting, Tom Willis, work culture

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