Employee Disengagement: Is Managing Humans as Resources the Real Problem?
From Managing Human Resources to Managing Human Potential
The Survival of Traditional Leadership Models: A Call for Change?
Global shifts such as digital transformation, the rise of remote work, and generational turnover are not only reshaping the future of work but also redefining how employees coexist within workplace ecosystems.
These shifts pose a direct challenge to traditional leadership models, which, in their relentless pursuit of rapid goal achievement and profit maximization in hyper-competitive markets, too often neglect the most critical factor of success—people.
The Leadership Crisis
A 2023 Gallup survey highlights this stark reality: only 23% of employees globally are engaged at work, with Europe’s engagement levels plummeting to just 14%.
This disengagement means most employees are operating below their potential, devoid of genuine motivation or a sense of belonging.
Why? Existing leadership frameworks—designed for the industrial age—fail to address the complex demands of today’s workplaces, where adaptability, creativity, and human-centered approaches are paramount. Models rooted in hierarchy and control breed insecurity, stifle creativity, and undermine innovation.
Human resource management often stems from a flawed understanding of human motivation and the innate need for creativity.
Employees are not replaceable resources; they are unique, irreplaceable creators whose potential can only thrive in environments that recognize and nurture it.
HR practices that reduce employees to mere numbers significantly contribute to talent shortages and fail to attract top talent in the market.
Let’s set the record straight: “It’s not that people aren’t available.”
They are—but they thrive in environments that value their contributions and empower them to drive long-term success.
Discover the most effective way to develop employee potential HERE!
The Future of Work: New Challenges equals Leadershift
As we stand at the crossroads of monumental workplace shifts, the path forward is clear: leadership must adapt to meet the emerging challenges of the future.
Below are seven transformative principles for leaders navigating this evolution:
1. Embracing Hybrid Work and Flexibility
Today, 41% of EU employees prefer hybrid work models (Eurofound, 2023), signaling a permanent shift toward balancing professional and personal lives.
The pandemic rewrote the rulebook for work, forcing organizations to adopt remote operations almost overnight. Since then, remote work and non-traditional office environments have steadily transformed into a sustainable model for achieving a better work-life balance for many employees.
Leaders must embrace this shift by fostering flexible schedules and workflows while cultivating a sense of community through innovative digital communication. The future demands leaders who can enable autonomy while preserving connection.
2. Building Psychological Safety
According to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in leadership is the cornerstone of organizational success. Leaders who prioritize transparency, consistency, and empathy will build resilient, high-performing teams.
High-performing teams thrive in environments where individuals feel safe to express ideas, admit mistakes, and challenge the status quo without fear of repercussions. Psychological safety, especially valued by Gen Z and Millennials, directly correlates with innovation, retention, and engagement.
Without trust, collaboration falters. Without collaboration, results vanish.
3. Prioritizing Diversity and Inclusion
Deloitte’s 2022 report reveals that companies with diverse teams outperform financially by 35%, demonstrating that inclusivity is not only a moral imperative but a strategic advantage.
Employees seek organizations that value diversity and promote inclusion. These are workplaces where every individual feels appreciated, respected, and accepted, regardless of their background, identity, or uniqueness.
4. Championing Autonomy and Empowerment
McKinsey (2022) confirms that autonomy and a sense of purpose fuel job satisfaction and retention.
Employees who feel empowered to influence decisions about their work exhibit significantly higher engagement.
Empowered employees aren’t just contributors—they’re co-creators of organizational success.
5. Integrating Technology with Human-Centered Leadership
Automation and AI are revolutionizing the workplace, but leaders must strike a balance between leveraging technology and nurturing human relationships. Investing in digital literacy while fostering emotional intelligence will be essential for future-ready teams.
6. Promoting Well-being
Organizations with active wellness initiatives see 20% higher engagement and reduced absenteeism (Gallup, 2023).
Physical and mental health programs are no longer optional—they’re essential. Supporting employees holistically isn’t just compassionate—it’s profitable.
7. Aligning with Organizational Values
83% of employees prefer leaders whose values align with their own (Deloitte, 2023), and 79% prioritize socially responsible employers (PwC, 2022).
Gen Z and Millennials prioritize employers whose values align with their own. Companies that emphasize social responsibility and sustainability will attract top talent and build long-term trust.
How do you like the content of the article? Be sure to share your impressions and key takeaways in the comments. 💛 🖤
#theGREATleadership Method: A New Paradigm for the Future of Leadership
The future of work isn’t just about technology—it’s about leaders who deeply understand and effectively address the needs of their employees. Success in this evolving landscape requires recognizing the drivers of engagement and growth, both internal and external.
The Core Drivers of Employee Engagement
To develop employees and maintain high levels of engagement, leaders must address two key areas: internal drivers that influence subjective feelings and external drivers shaped by organizational processes.
Internal Drivers:
Values Alignment – Do employees feel their personal values resonate with the organization’s mission?
Competence – Do they feel equipped to meet the challenges and expectations of their roles?
Psychological Safety – Can they express ideas, opinions, and concerns without fear of judgment or repercussions?
External Drivers:
Meaningful Challenges – Does their work challenge them in ways that promote growth and fulfillment?
Autonomy – Do they have the freedom to make decisions that impact their work?
Contribution to Greater Goals – Does the organization focus on objectives that transcend short-term results?
When organizations effectively address these factors, they create workplaces where engagement flourishes, innovation thrives, and long-term success becomes attainable.
The future of work isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. At GREAT Leadership Solutions, we’ve committed to redefining leadership with the #theGREATleadership method.
This approach centers on the core values of being Genuine, Responsible, Empowering, Aspiring, and Trustful (GREAT)—the hallmarks of modern, effective leadership.
By recognizing employees as the heart of the organization, this method enables leaders to unlock unparalleled levels of engagement, innovation, and long-term success. It’s about leading with authenticity, fostering accountability, inspiring growth, empowering potential, and building trust as the foundation of every relationship.
Organizations that adapt to these principles will not only navigate the challenges of a changing work environment but also excel in cultivating innovation, engagement, and sustainable success.
Final Thought
The traditional models of leadership have created workplaces marked by disengagement, burnout, and a lack of meaning.
The future belongs to leaders who understand that success isn’t rooted solely in technology but in the people who drive it. Leaders of tomorrow must embrace flexibility, psychological safety, diversity, autonomy, and well-being as the cornerstones of their strategies.
These principles will enable organizations to cultivate deeply engaged, innovative teams and remain competitive in an ever-changing world.
The rhythm of every successful organization lies in the pulse of its people. Let’s lead with purpose, empathy, and vision.
Are you ready to embrace the future of GREAT leadership?
Thank you for sharing great leadership practices and helping to create an environment where people bring the added value!
Enjoyed this article? Don’t forget to hit the ❤️ button.
Have feedback or something to add? 💬 Drop a comment below.
Think someone else would benefit from this? 🔁 Share it with them!
Radically Human: How New Technology Is Transforming Business and Shaping Our Future
by Paul Daugherty (Author), H. James Wilson (Author)
Radically Human by Paul Daugherty and H. James Wilson redefines the future of innovation, showing how human-centered AI and technology are reshaping business, strategy, and the very nature of work. As organizations embrace a new era of human-machine collaboration, the book offers a transformative IDEAS framework (Intelligence, Data, Expertise, Architecture, Strategy) to guide leaders in creating groundbreaking solutions. Here are three key ideas from this essential read:
Human-Centered AI: The book highlights a shift from traditional, data-intensive AI to data-efficient, human-inspired approaches that enhance rather than replace human expertise. This creates systems that learn and adapt like humans, fostering deeper collaboration between people and machines.
The IDEAS Framework: This innovative blueprint transforms competition by rethinking business fundamentals. By leveraging intelligence, refining data usage, unlocking expertise, building adaptive architectures, and crafting technology-driven strategies, organizations can lead the way in a rapidly evolving world.
Reimagining Work and Trust: Post-pandemic realities demand businesses rebuild trust and optimize how they engage talent. The book showcases how human-centered innovation is reshaping work environments and paving the way for a sustainable, trust-based future.
With compelling examples and actionable insights, Radically Human is a groundbreaking guide for leaders who want to innovate boldly, harness AI responsibly, and drive human-centric growth.
How do you like the reading recommendation of the week? Be sure to share your impressions and key takeaways in the comments. 💛 🖤
Employees are not replaceable resources; they are unique, irreplaceable creators whose potential can only thrive in environments that recognize and nurture it.
That's it - talk to you next week!
Thank you for your attention, and best wishes on your journey to strengthening great leadership! 💛 🖤
At GREAT Leadership Solutions, an international consulting firm, our outstanding team of experienced leaders specializes in business excellence, human potential development, and leadership services.
For more information and inquiries, please reach out to us at: office@thegreatleadership.com (subject: "Leadership").