What Actually Drives Employee Engagement (Hint: It’s Not the Perks)

Think “fun at work” means a foosball table and a snack bar? Think again. Employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and turnover don’t operate in silos—and the impact shows up in real outcomes. In this episode, University of Akron Professor Dr. Steven Ash breaks down what truly drives employee engagement—from the fundamentals of self-determination theory to the outsized role of managers—and why it’s more than a “culture issue.” The result? A clearer path to improving performance, retention, and customer experience.