Recognizing that engagement is a personal responsibility empowers you to take control of your work satisfaction and motivation. There will always be challenges and de-motivators at work, but each person has an internal compass that tells us what we need to be engaged in any job we have, such as the type of role we need to play or the problems we need to solve or the contributions we need to make.

By focusing on the aspects of work that align with your internal drivers and passions, you can cultivate a sense of engagement regardless of external circumstances. Identifying what specifically motivates you—be it autonomy, strategic influence, direct impact, or any other factor—is key to fostering genuine engagement in your career.