Right now, engagement is mostly measured by 1.) how much the user is engaging in discussions, commenting and replying and how much of that is unique instead of copy/paste comments like: 'nice post'.

And through motivation we rate how much the user is trying to change a cause that is higher then himself. For example: while @michaelcj 's posts are good but not great, he still delievers by helping a cause that is bigger than simply earning steem/sbd for himself.