There are three types of employees. The disengaged, indifferent ones, the minimally-engaged, compliant ones, and the fully-engaged, committed ones.

The indifferent have to be told what to do, the compliant do what they know to do, and the committed take initiative, create art, and move things.

The indifferent are there for themselves. The compliant are there for a job. The committed are there for a cause.

Essentially, the indifferent have to, the committed want to, and the compliant fall somewhere in between.

Significantly moving the dial requires more employees in the commitment bucket, but superficial efforts like ping pong tables in the break room or casual Fridays are not what will do it.

A cause—work that matters—might be what gets people out of bed, but clear direction, the autonomy to try, fail, get up, and keep moving, as well as ongoing support and recognition, are what keep people stepping up. Are you game for that or is it too scary? If it’s too much, resign yourself to mediocrity. Just keep in mind that your customers want—and deserve—more.

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