downton-abbey-series-4-cast-photoDownton Abbey, the BBC series from writer/creator Julian Fellowes, began its 4th season in the US last tonight (1/5/2014) on PBS. For those who haven’t discovered this international hit (or aren’t consumed by it), Downton Abbey is a British drama centered on the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants during the early decades of the 20th Century. Fans of the series have obsessed over the lives of its characters ever since it premiered in 2010 (2011 in the US).

 

I admit that I’m a fan of the show and have affection for each character.  Each week I tune-in and invest time in learning more about them. It doesn’t matter if it is the Earl of Grantham or Daisy, the cook’s assistant, I keep up with each character regardless of their “rank” within the household.

 

How many managers know more about the characters on their favorite shows than the people of their team?  I’ve worked with a few managers who couldn’t give me any insight into their direct reports when transitioning their teams to me. They didn’t seem to think anything of it but it impacted their teams given the number of Not Engaged Employees I encountered. Had they “tuned-in and invested time” in getting to know about the “characters” with which they worked, they could have been in a better position to engage, manage, and develop them.

 

The next time you walk into your office, make an effort to be as engaged with your people as you are with the characters in your favorite TV shows.

 

How do you “tune in and invest time” with those in your company? What tips can you share?

Photo copyright ITV plc 2013

 

 

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Let’s Get Engaged!

I’m Agent in Engagement Simpson…Gregory Simpson.

As an Agent in Engagement, my mission is to help companies and their employees succeed by focusing on how frontline and middle managers engage, manage, and develop their direct reports.

After years in the field, the consulting field, where I created award-winning employee engagement work for Fortune 150 clients, I’m looking forward to returning to headquarters where I’ll to continue to battle every company’s greatest nemesis, employee disengagement.

 

I’m excited about this opportunity to connect with fellow “Agents.” Subscribe to the RSS Feed to receive the latest updates and/or register to comment on posts.

You can follow me @agtinengagement, email me at g…@a…t.com or learn more about me at www.gregoryfsimpson.com.