Introduction
In a concerning trend, Gallup’s Global Workplace Report 2025 reveals that only 27% of managers worldwide express commitment to their jobs, marking a 3.5 percentage point drop from the previous year and signaling a critical turning point.
Historical Context and Significance
Since Gallup began tracking this metric in 2009, this is the lowest level of job commitment among those in leadership positions. For employees overall, the indicator remained at 18% annually.
Jon Clifton, Gallup’s CEO, emphasizes the relevance of these figures amidst rapid workplace transformation, driven largely by artificial intelligence’s growing presence in daily work life.
Impact of the Crisis
The report warns that managerial engagement directly affects team commitment and productivity. Seventy percent of employee performance is linked to the impact of their immediate supervisor. If a leader appears disconnected, overwhelmed, or indifferent, it’s likely their teams will reflect that sentiment.
The report cautions that business performance—and ultimately GDP growth—is at risk if executive leaders fail to address the exhaustion among middle management.
Demographic Analysis
The study found that younger managers (under 35) and women in leadership positions were most affected. The commitment levels dropped from 32% to 27% for those under 35 and from 29% to 27% for those over 35. For women, the decline was from 34% to 27%, while men saw a decrease from 28% to 26%.
Recommendations for Businesses
1. Ensure Basic Training for All: Gallup notes that only 44% of middle managers have received formal training for their roles, a gap directly linked to higher disengagement levels. Providing all leadership personnel access to this training could reduce disengagement by nearly half.
2. Teach Effective Coaching Skills: Most managers lack natural coaching abilities. Implementing coaching skills training can boost their engagement by up to 22% and their teams’ engagement by 18%. Specialized training can even elevate managers’ performance indicators by up to 28%.
3. Invest in Continuous Well-being Development: Professional development not only enhances labor skills but also improves personal well-being for those in leadership roles. Continuous training can increase well-being levels from 28% to 34%, and up to 50% with sustained efforts.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of manager engagement? According to Gallup’s Global Workplace Report 2025, only 27% of managers worldwide express commitment to their jobs.
- Why is this trend significant? This is the lowest level of job commitment among those in leadership positions since Gallup began tracking this metric in 2009. The trend poses a risk to business performance and GDP growth.
- Which demographics are most affected? Younger managers (under 35) and women in leadership positions have experienced the most significant drops in commitment levels.
- What can businesses do to address this issue? Gallup recommends ensuring basic training for all managers, teaching effective coaching skills, and investing in continuous well-being development for leaders.
