Bring Out the Talent: A Learning and Development Podcast

Rethinking Engagement and Performance: A Systems Perspective

Maria Melfa & Jocelyn Allen

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0:00 | 55:19

Research from Gallup shows that only about 23% of employees are engaged at work globally, a number that has remained stubbornly low despite years of investment in culture, leadership, and development. In reality, what drives behavior at work is often much less visible - it’s the systems behind the scenes. The way meetings are structured, how success is measured, what gets rewarded, and what gets overlooked. These are the forces that shape how work actually gets done.

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we are joined by Justin Robbins, Founder and Principal Analyst at Metric Sherpa. Justin has spent over two decades helping organizations strengthen customer experience, optimize operations, and turn insight into execution. His work has been featured by NBC Nightly News, The New York Times, and Forbes, and he’s known for bringing a practical, operator-driven perspective to complex organizational challenges. Together, we discuss what really drives performance, why so many transformation efforts fall short, and how leaders can start rethinking the systems that shape engagement, burnout, and results.