Want to know the single biggest factor in creating an exceptional employee experience (EX)? Look no further than your leaders. As we wrap up 2024, the data is crystal clear: managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement scores across all business units. That's not just a number – it's a wake-up call for organizations wanting to boost retention and performance in 2025.
Why Leadership Matters Now More Than Ever
Despite the end of the Great Resignation, employee surveys show that up to 40% of workers still want to change jobs. But here's the interesting part: when employees leave, 52% say their manager or organization could have prevented their departure. This isn't just about salaries – it's about the total employee experience that leaders create every day.
What Makes a Great Employee Experience?
Our research shows that positive EX comes down to four key elements that leaders directly influence:
- Belonging: Leaders connect employees to organizational culture and values
- Growth: Leaders create opportunities for professional development
- Relationships: Leaders shape interactions within teams and across the organization
- Environment: Leaders ensure employees have the resources to succeed
Three Actions Leaders Can Take Right Now
Own Your Role in EX
- Understand what good EX looks like in your area
- Create clear plans for implementing EX initiatives with your team
- Take accountability for EX progress and outcomes
Build the Right Skills
- Develop capabilities to support and drive EX implementation
- Focus on both formal initiatives and day-to-day interactions
- Seek feedback on your EX leadership effectiveness
Make Progress Visible
- Capture and share both small and big wins around EX
- Maintain open dialogue about EX challenges and opportunities
- Keep EX at the forefront of team discussions
The Bottom Line
The message for 2024 is simple: great EX doesn't happen by accident. It's created intentionally, day by day, through the actions of leaders at every level. Organizations that invest in developing their leaders' EX capabilities see remarkable results: 51% less absenteeism, 64% fewer safety incidents, and a 29% increase in work quality.
Ready to elevate your organization's EX?
Download our Employee Experience Whitepaper, EXposed: How Good or Bad is Your Employee Experience, to learn more about the critical role of leadership in driving positive employee experiences.
By taking action now, you can position your organization for long-term success.
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