The State of the Global Workplace Meets the L&D Value Imperative
As we mark World Mental Health Awareness Week and World Coaching Week, it’s the perfect moment to spotlight two powerful and timely reports — and why their insights matter right now. They’re ideal for that important-but-often-overlooked “Quadrant II” time (with a nod to Stephen Covey).
- The Learning & Development Sentiment Survey 2025 → a snapshot of global L&D professionals’ priorities
- Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2025 → a sweeping study capturing the voices of employees worldwide
The wake-up call: We are in the midst of an engagement and wellbeing crisis
The numbers are sobering:
- Only 23% of employees worldwide are engaged
- Lack of engagement is costing an estimated $438 billion in lost productivity
- Manager engagement has fallen from 30% to 27% globally — and in the UK, it’s dropped to just 10%, likely due to managers feeling squeezed between executive demands and employee expectations
- Engagement levels have only fallen twice in the past 12 years — during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, and again in 2024
- Only 44% of managers globally have received formal management training, despite managers accounting for 70% of the variance in team engagement
- 41% of employees report experiencing high levels of daily stress; 20% experience daily loneliness
- Engaged employees would require a 31% pay rise to consider leaving, compared to 22% for disengaged employees — showing just how powerful engagement is for retention
“We are witnessing a pivotal moment in the global workplace, one where engagement is faltering at the exact same time AI is transforming every industry in its path.”
— Jon Clifton, CEO, Gallup
This data doesn’t just sound the alarm — it also points to where organisations can act.
Why ‘The Value Trio’ matters now more than ever
In this climate, The Value Trio has re-emerged as an essential model for transformational leadership:
- Strategic alignment → learning must hit the business bullseye
- Practical, usable tools → performance support that helps people do, not just know
- Tangible results → delivering real impact, not just tracking attendance
“We stand at the edge of a new era of work. With thoughtful leadership and strong, empowered managers, AI can elevate human potential rather than diminish it.”
— Jon Clifton, CEO, Gallup
Manager development: The hidden multiplier
To truly improve engagement and performance, L&D teams need to work closely with managers and their teams to understand where disengagement is rooted. Without this frontline connection, even the best-intentioned solutions can miss the mark.
Manager development is the multiplier. Organisations that invest even in basic coaching skills see:
- 20–28% improvements in manager performance
- 32% increases in manager wellbeing
And performance support isn’t a luxury — it’s leadership survival. It’s the difference between managers who are simply coping and those who are confidently leading. Every point gained in engagement helps recover lost productivity and create workplaces where people can thrive.
Practical takeaways
To move the needle on engagement and wellbeing, organisations can:
- Identify where disengagement is really happening
- Equip managers with coaching and conversation skills
- Provide tools like Mojo to deliver real-time support and help people perform at their best
Final thought
Building bold, transformational cultures isn’t just about big strategies — it’s about empowering people at every level to succeed. As organisations navigate this pivotal moment, the opportunity is clear: to create workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and able to reach their full potential.
Related Articles
