TrueTribe

You’re There, but Not Really

Many people still do their work, but the spark is gone. According to Gallup, only 13% of Dutch employees feel truly engaged. The rest log in, sit down, and go through the motions. Present, but not really present.

This is called presenteeism, and it sneaks in. You don’t notice it right away, but eventually, you start hearing things like, “I feel successful on paper, but inside, I’m just tired.”

What’s Lost When Engagement Disappears

When people lose their sense of engagement, they lose meaning—the feeling that their work contributes to something, that it matters. This affects not just individuals but organizations too, which can lose their sense of direction.

Sixty percent of failing companies don’t go under due to poor results but because of a lack of vision. Without a clear ideal, inspiration dries up, energy drains away, and people disengage—quietly at first, then completely.

Sometimes, You Can Feel It Right Away

I recently walked into an organization that felt different. Not because of what was said but because of the atmosphere. There was so much care, so much story behind everything—the art on the walls, the thoughtful colors, the spaces inviting connection. You could feel: something meaningful is happening here.

It wasn’t just about efficiency or output. The place had a soul—a recognition that people want to connect to something bigger. Meaning isn’t just an individual pursuit; it’s embedded in the systems we work in, the spaces we design, the rituals we create, and the choices we make. In everything, you could sense: this fits.

Meaning Is Not a Luxury

Yet we often treat purpose at work as an extra, the cherry on top. But it’s not. Meaning is the foundation of motivation. It’s not a “nice-to-have”; it’s what makes work relevant.

A strong purpose isn’t just the text on your website. It’s how people collaborate, how they make decisions, whether they feel safe to make mistakes, and whether they feel their contributions matter.

Leadership with a Compass

You don’t create meaning with a strategy. Meaning emerges from differences, from active dynamics. That’s why the image of a compass is so fitting. Leaders who dare to make a difference bring meaning to their organizations. They ask the right questions:

What still matters to you?
What’s causing friction?
What do you want to contribute—and what do you need to grow?

It doesn’t have to be grand, but it does have to be real.

What You Can Do—Starting Today

Have one-on-one conversations that aren’t about KPIs but about what drives people. Hold team sessions to explore what connects you—and what causes tension. Ask: Do you still feel connected to what you’re doing?

Or simply decide not to wait for someone else to bring it up—do it yourself.

Work That Fits, People Who Stay

Ultimately, people don’t just want to perform; they want to resonate. Not just to deliver but to live. Not just to be useful but to be valuable.

Organizations that enable this win in the long term—not just in productivity or retention but in trust, pride, and growth.

Curious how we make meaning, direction, and motivation tangible in organizations—without making it overly complex or abstract? Let us know. We’d love to show you how work can resonate again.