The #1 Driver of Employee Wellbeing | Mark Crowley

Why have decades of employee engagement surveys failed to move the needle? Mark Crowley believes it’s because we’ve been measuring the wrong things. Instead of focusing on check-the-box engagement metrics, leaders should be asking: how do our people feel?

In this episode, we explore why emotions drive up to 95% of workplace decisions, why belonging is the single biggest driver of well-being, and how simple rituals, from tossing a bag of candy to asking, “How do you feel this week?” can transform team culture. Mark demonstrates that what some call “soft” leadership is, in fact, the most effective path to achieving stronger performance.

Along the way, we dig into why outdated management myths persist, how leaders can balance accountability with genuine care, and what it really means to lead from the heart. If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond surveys and build a workplace where people thrive, this conversation is for you.

Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel!

 ©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Topics

[0:00] Intro and speed round with Mark Crowley

[9:05] Why leaders dismiss engagement scores

[11:28] The power of asking “How do you feel?”

[16:50] Reciprocity and authentic care

[20:08] Belonging as the greatest driver of wellbeing

[24:55] Why old leadership myths persist

[28:20] Positive emotions as “emotional currency”

[31:51] Balancing care with accountability

[35:05] Rituals that build culture (and candy stories)

[42:11] Advice for new managers

[46:24] Mark’s desert island music picks

[48:39] Grooving session takeaways

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Other Episodes for Grooving

Ep. 450 – The Simple Shift That Transforms Employee Engagement | Brad Shuck

Ep. 490 – Science-Backed Tips to Make Work Worthwhile | Wes Adams & Tamara Myles

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