"Beatings will continue until morale improves" is obviously a terrible idea.

But it happens very often in organizations.

For example, imagine seeing behavior that implies a lack of engagement from employees.

For example, employees canceling on interviews 12 hours before.

The natural reaction is to clamp down on the behavior and punish it more.

For example, "anyone who cancels an interview within 12 hours will have their manager and manager's manager cc'd".

The need for control ends up choking the thing harder.

Instead, ask what is the cause of this lack of engagement?

How can I create more space, more feeling of co-ownership and creativity?

How you react to disengagement will come down to where on the Theory X / Theory Y of management you fall.

(One of the worst-named frameworks, in my opinion).

Theory X: assume workers are fundamentally lazy.

Imagine someone crossing their arms in an X.

Theory Y: assume workers are fundamentally creative.

Imagine someone with their arms outstretched in the shape of a Y, cheering someone on.