How Happy Are You with Your Workplace?

By Deb Boelkes

I’m routinely asked to speak about a variety of leadership issues with management groups around the country. Two of the most requested topics lately are: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture, and How to Lead in Times of Chaos. 

I was recently asked to also provide an Industry and Market Trends overview as the lead-in to a talk addressing both afore-mentioned topics. Knowing this audience would be varied, both in terms of industry representation and management level, I focused the overview portion on Macrotrends—from geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts to supply chain infrastructures, emerging technologies, and shifts in business culture. As you can imagine, the synopsis of what’s happening in the world these days was rather ominous.

In terms of workplace trends, I reviewed recent survey findings published by some of the most respected think tanks and pollsters. Surprisingly, the various polling firms I researched reported somewhat conflicting assessments of workplace satisfaction and employee engagement trends.

The most recent annual survey report from The Conference Board—a venerable think tank founded in 1916—defied my expectations, given the current geopolitical landscape.  Their annual survey of Job Satisfaction (reported May 2023) stated, “US workers have never been more content.”  In fact, with over 62% of their survey respondents affirming overall job satisfaction, it was the highest level of job satisfaction The Conference Board had reported since the firm started conducting such surveys in 1987.

With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the continuing crisis at our southern border, the progress of the CCP to supplant the US as the global high-tech powerhouse via their Made in China 2025 Initiative, and more, I was stunned to find such a rosy picture of US Worker Satisfaction.

Searching further, in March 2023 Pew Research reported the highest level of job satisfaction was indicated by workers aged 65 and up. 65% of workers in this age bracket were said to be extremely or very satisfied with their jobs. Moreover, the fastest growing workplace demographic was people aged 75 and up!

On the other hand, Pew Research reported that job satisfaction went down with each decremental age category. The lowest level of job satisfaction (at 44%) was reported by workers between the ages of 18 and 29.  Overall, Pew Research found 51% of employed adults were highly satisfied with their jobs. 

I finally found more current US Employee Engagement survey data published by Gallup in April 2024. This report was contrary to the 2023 findings of both Pew Research and The Conference Board.  Gallup reported overall Employee Engagement was only 30% in the first quarter of 2024—the lowest level of engagement they had reported since 2013.

Gallup claimed the highest level of engagement they ever reported was in 2020, at 36%. Half of the six-point decline in engagement since 2020 occurred in the first quarter of 2024—a huge downturn in just one quarter.       

Consistent with Pew Research findings, Gallup reported the engagement of younger workers was down the most last quarter—down 5% for workers under age 35, and down 6% for workers under age 25. These younger workers were reported to have less clarity in their roles, less connection to their company’s mission and purpose, and they were less likely to feel that someone at work cares about them. Perhaps contributing to this malaise, Gallup found younger workers were somewhat more likely to be working in remote jobs. Perhaps as a result of this malaise, younger workers were increasingly more likely to be actively looking for new jobs or watching for job openings.        

The most concerning statistic seemed to be the percentage of workers who know what is expected of them. As compared to the first quarter of 2020, Gallup states this metric had declined by four or more points across all generations.

On a more positive note, top performing organizations were reported to enjoy 70% employee engagement. This was consistent across all industries and geographies. Gallup reported that top performing organizations strategically plan for and intentionally create inspiring workplace cultures. They have effective onboarding programs for new hires, and those with hybrid work environments set clear expectations and have coaching managers who combine flexibility with accountability.

Gallup also noted that 70% of the variance in team engagement is determined solely by the manager. Great places to work don’t just happen by accident.

The good news is that chaos and discontent breed opportunity. We always have the chance to make positive changes in employee engagement. All it takes is initiative, determination, and a positive, can-do attitude. We must be intentional in our attitudes and actions.

As Gallup found with top performing organizations, what inspires people—the attributes that make people want to get up and go to work in the morning—are pretty consistent across industries, geographies, and generations. 

Creating the conditions that inspire and motivate each member of your team is your most important duty as a leader. You are the key to your organization’s success, regardless of whether the macrotrends are ominous or extraordinarily bright.

As Dr. Mark Goulston and I laid out in our book, The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture, it’s really quite easy to engage and motivate team members. Simply:

• Know the talents and strong suits of each of your people.
• Know their aspirations.
• Know what they each enjoy doing.
• Know what matters to them (i.e. their values).
• Help everyone keep the mission, vision, and values of your organization top of mind—and ensure each one understands these guiding principles.
• Set high expectations and hold people accountable.
• And—most especially when the chips are down—be there for them.

Rest assured, when people are highly engaged, leveraging their strong suits, doing what they love, and working toward achieving their dreams, the days will fly by, and work won’t be work….it will be fun.

When everyone is happy, engaged and fulfilled by their roles, that’s when your workplace will be a top performing organization.