Where Is the Workplace Today?

A Call to Action for Leaders

Author

Tim Hagen
August 04, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

In this issue…

  • Where Is the Workplace Today? - by Tim Hagen

  • Extra Insights: 5 Signs Your 1-on-1’s Aren’t Working - by Jen Dary, Harvard Business Review

  • Weekly Motivation Boost: Don’t Let Your Fear of Failure Outweigh Your Desire to Succeed - by Les Brown, Motiversity (YouTube)

  • Action for the Week: Move as you work for extra energy

  • Together with The Daily Hustle: Ways to Make Money with AI

🎯 EXPERT OF THE WEEK

Where Is the Workplace Today?

By Tim Hagen

Listen to this article in an audio-format here if you prefer.

The corporate workplace is at a crossroads. Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, job structures are shifting and employee engagement is declining. According to recent Gallup polls, workplace engagement has dropped to one of its lowest levels in over a decade.

  • Only 21% of employees are actively engaged at work, declined in the last 10 years.

  • The majority remain neutral or disengaged, leading to reduced productivity, lower morale and higher turnover.

So, the real question isn’t just “Where is the workplace today?” but rather, “Where is it going?” And more importantly, what can leaders do about it?

The Two Critical Needs in Today’s Workplace

#1: Leaders must talk to their employees, frequently and authentically.

Technology, automation, and AI will continue to evolve, but human connection is irreplaceable. Employees don’t just need direction—they need engagement. They need to know their leaders are invested in them as people, not just as workers. A simple but powerful action every leader can take is starting meaningful conversations. Ask:

  • What’s your ideal next step?

  • What would you love to do more of?

  • What tasks would you prefer to avoid or delegate?

Not every employee has a clear answer, but that’s where coaching and leadership come in. The best leaders don’t just issue directives…they help their people discover their own paths.

#2: Leaders must identify individual motivators.

One of the biggest mistakes organizations make is assuming that everyone is motivated by promotions. Promotions matter, but they aren’t the only motivators.

As Julie Winkle Giulioni explains in Promotions Are So Yesterday, people are motivated by many factors beyond climbing the corporate ladder. Leaders must take the time to understand what truly drives their employees.

Some employees may crave greater responsibility, others may seek skill mastery, and some may value work-life balance over a title change. If we fail to recognize these unique motivators, we risk disengaging employees who feel unseen and unheard.

The Future: Strengthen the Fabric of the Workplace

The workplace will continue to evolve. AI will change processes, jobs will transform, and businesses will adapt—but the core of workplace success will always be human connection.

When leaders invest in meaningful conversations and understand employee motivations, they create:

  • A more engaged workforce

  • A stronger organizational culture

  • A workplace where people feel valued and empowered

Hard work should not be the only differentiator in today’s workplace. Engagement, communication and motivation must be at the forefront. The challenge for leaders today: Start the conversation. Ask the right questions. Listen, adapt and lead with purpose.

TIM HAGEN is a renowned workplace leadership coach and CEO/Founder of Progress Coaching, a pioneer in the workplace coaching movement with over 30 years of experience helping organizations increase engagement, develop and retain top talent, and create strong workplace cultures by developing managers into coaches.

💡EXTRA INSIGHTS

5 Signs Your 1-on-1’s Aren’t Working

From Jen Dary, Harvard Business Review

8-Minute Read - Click on the image below for the full article.

🏅WEEKLY MOTIVATION BOOST

Don’t Let Your Fear of Failure Outweigh Your Desire to Succeed - by Les Brown, Motiversity (YouTube)

10-minute watch

🏃🏽‍♀️Action for the Week

Move as you work for extra energy.

Look at your calendar and see which meeting or task you can accomplish while walking. It's a great way to boost creativity and encourage healthy movement, especially for individuals who sit for most of their regular day. Try to implement more walking time during your work day.

💎 TOGETHER WITH THE DAILY HUSTLE

200+ AI Side Hustles to Start Right Now

AI isn't just changing business—it's creating entirely new income opportunities. The Hustle's guide features 200+ ways to make money with AI, from beginner-friendly gigs to advanced ventures. Each comes with realistic income projections and resource requirements. Join 1.5M professionals getting daily insights on emerging tech and business opportunities.

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