Why Employees Are Disengaged (79%) — How Leaders Can Overcome Skepticism and Rebuild Trust

Why are 79% of employees disengaged at work—and what can leaders actually do about it?

In this solo episode of Time to Reset , Penny Zenker breaks down one of the most overlooked drivers of disengagement: skepticism.

This isn’t about attitude—it’s about attention patterns shaped by past experiences, broken trust, and workplace dynamics. When skepticism takes hold, it limits innovation, slows decision-making, and quietly erodes collaboration.

Penny shares:

• Why skepticism is rising in today’s workplace
• How it impacts trust, performance, and leadership effectiveness
• The neuroscience behind threat, focus, and disengagement
• The connection between skepticism and the “Nitpicker Effect”
• 5 practical leadership strategies to rebuild trust and re-engage your team

If you’re a leader, executive, or team manager navigating disengagement, low trust, or resistance to change—this episode gives you a clear, actionable framework to shift from doubt to possibility.

What creates skepticism for you at work?

What has helped you rebuild trust in a leader or organization?