This Summer: A Closer Look at Employee Engagement
Engagement doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of specific, observable conditions that supervisors and teams shape every day. Gallup captures these conditions in twelve questions—the Q12—which measure what truly drives faculty and staff to show up with energy, commitment, and purpose.
This summer, Human Resources is launching a series of newsletter articles focused on employee engagement and experience: what it looks like, why it matters, and the critical role supervisors play in shaping it. We’ll explore the Q12 one element at a time, unpacking each question, what it reveals about your team, and practical actions you can take to strengthen it.
Why focus here? Because the research is clear: supervisors account for up to 70% of the variance in team engagement. Everyday choices—how expectations are set, how good work is recognized, and how people are connected to a shared mission—determine whether employees thrive or simply get by.
Throughout the series, expect content that is both informative and actionable: defining engagement, breaking down each Q12 element, and offering strategies you can apply right away.
Keep an eye on HR News and your inbox this summer. Whether you lead a large team or simply want to better understand the employee experience, there will be something here for you.
Contact engagehr@gmu.edu with questions.