Four moves for the person who's still showing up but isn't really there, not a general essay on engagement.
01
Separate burnout from disengagement
They look similar from the outside but need different responses. One needs rest and reduced load, the other needs a real conversation about fit and motivation.
02
Ask before you assume
"I've noticed you seem less engaged lately, what's going on?" gets you further than guessing at a cause and solving the wrong problem.
03
Reconnect the work to something they actually care about
Disengagement often starts when someone stops seeing the point. Sometimes the fix is smaller than a role change: a different project, a different kind of ownership.
04
Set a real timeline for a real conversation
If nothing changes after you've tried, don't let it drift indefinitely. Decide how long you're willing to wait, and say so out loud.