Michael Lee Stallard, author of “Fired Up or Burned Out,” will speak with Homer Erekson, dean of the Neeley School of Business, and 100 Neeley undergraduates and faculty members on how an organization can transform into a thriving, impassioned workplace by engaging its employees to find purpose and connection in their work.

Neeley School of Business public relations and events manager Elaine Cole said the Tandy Executive Speaker Series is an outreach for Fort Worth and area business professionals. Fifty Neeley undergraduates and 50 faculty members will be allowed to attend on a first come, first served basis, she said.

Cole estimated the turnout has typically averaged about 200 attendees between alumni, business professionals, Neeley students and sponsors from Fort Worth, she said.

Stallard is president of E Pluribus Partner, an organization that focuses on maximizing employee engagement.

“Employee engagement goes beyond satisfaction,” he said. “It’s whether or not people are enthusiastic about their work and are giving their best efforts.”

His book, “Fired Up or Burned Out,” is about the importance of managers and employees connecting to each other and their work, he said.

Stallard said employee disengagement is a growing problem in America. About 75 percent of employees are not engaged in their jobs, which leads to a huge drag in productivity and innovation, he said.

Employees needed to feel connected to the organization they work for and feel inspired by its values and purpose, he said.

“Employees who do not feel valued or respected will not be motivated,” he said. “An emotional connection to people is important to thrive in life, [and] I want to help students realize this.”

Stallard’s question-and-answer session with the Erekson will address how organizations can motivate and engage their employees to connect to their work, Stallard said.

For students who could not attend the event, Cole said Stallard will be available Monday through Thursday and will meet with several student organizations in the business school, including the Neeley Fellows and some business classes.

Tandy Executive Speaker Series with Michael Lee Stallard and Dean Homer Erekson on “Fired Up or Burned Out”

When: 7:30-9 a.m. today in the Brown-Lupton University Union Ballroom

Admission: $20 per person, free for Neeley students, faculty and staff