For anyone who has felt unappreciated at work, here’s a sobering statistic.

It is one of the oldest and most tragic truths of modern business: even though we know that people are the key to business success, we often fail to provide those people with what they need to succeed.

As a business leader, do your words and actions demonstrate that you really care about the people you lead?

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. 

As we reflect on the defining business stories of 2024, one particular story stands out as a powerful reminder of the complexities inherent in global expansion.

This past summer brought us a compelling New York Times report about a leading chip manufacturer's challenges in Arizona - a story that continues to resonate because it touches on fundamental truths about leadership, culture, and organizational transformation.

Leaders everywhere are talking about Employee Experience, and for good reason.

EX is perhaps the single most important thing an employer can do to improve engagement, productivity, and retention. 

It was a perfect storm that threatened a large company’s entire Employee Experience (EX).

A major player in the technology sector, this company was facing a restructuring triggered by an acquisition. From the moment the deal was announced, employees knew layoffs were likely. 

Can you still create a compelling employee experience (EX) when you don’t get to see your employees in person?

Welcome to the great EX-hybrid challenge. EX is the sum total of all the interactions employees have with people, processes, technologies, and their physical working environment. These are the elements necessary to promote engagement and productivity, and retention.