Signals of Real Engagement
People tend to tell you what you want to hear and then do what they want to do.
A few underrated signals of engagement and trust include:
Unsolicited news shares (whether work or personal) with the team. If someone is sharing a fun photo from their vacation, they probably like their team!
Curiosity beyond their scope or role.
“We” language. Speaking in a future tense with an implied “we/us” vs. “you/them”.