The Great Detachment Antidote

The folks at Gallup have dubbed the current work environment as “The Great Detachment,” where many employees feel historically high levels of disenchantment. Gallup researchers also state that people are seeking new job opportunities at the highest rate since 2015, while overall satisfaction with their employers has returned to a record low. One difference from the so-called “Great Resignation” experienced just a couple of years ago, is that employees have increasingly limited opportunities to work elsewhere, even though unemployment is relatively low.

One by-product for employers is productivity loss. In a variety of ways people quit on the job versus leaving the job. Provoking this situation is that many employees are cynical and do not see much benefit from personal productivity increase. Reasonable or not, many workers believe executives and shareholders eat most of any productivity benefit. For example, “why should I care because the organization doesn’t really care about me?” “I’m a transaction on the income statement and totally expendable at the whim of a higher up.”

Gallup suggests that the primary antidote to The Great Detachment is to go back to the basics in two primary areas: Clarity of expectations and more personal connection to mission/vision. YAWN! Wow, is that the best we can do? The route to a better workplace is management 101 from the 70’s? Is that where we're at with 2025 on the horizon?

Okay, putting more effort in these two areas is beneficial. However the fundamental construct of what is required for organizations AND employees being able to thrive must be more completely transformed. Our research points to 10 fundamental elements that require new thinking and acting.

However, before applying the 10 elements required to seriously embark on a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to improving a high performing, winning work culture, true leaders must believe that being people first and AND high productivity are both possible in consort. It is doable to achieve great performance AND have a superb, people first work environment. Look at examples like Cisco or Gainsight, or any organization with a Glassdoor score over 4.2, an employee net promoter score over 50. They will also have excellent financials and customer scores. It’s a choice and it’s intentional. We can do better than just applying the very basics. And if employers think they can just go back to kicking butt as the strategy to address detachment, they have a very short sighted, regressive view.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: I’ve never liked to assume that most of us are incompetent, dumb or inherently lazy, but um, hopefully 2025 can prove me a little wrong. Maybe everyone should get a color coded badge, yellow if you’re “just here for a paycheck,” and green if you’re looking to enhance your career goals, become a leader, improve others, and best represent the organization’s mission/values that you have some pride in. At least we can up the honesty and stop the guessing games. Leaders have the opportunity and responsibility to help all team members want to wear a green badge.

Aren’t you a little tired of a new, kitschy yet negative descriptor of the current work environment? It’s up to us to fix it, and we can.

- Garrett

AI Response: Lorne, your insights on "The Great Detachment" and the limitations of returning to basic management principles are compelling. To further illuminate the conversation, studies show that employee disengagement can cost organizations between $450 billion to $550 billion annually in lost productivity, as reported by Gallup. Furthermore, according to a 2022 survey by PwC, 65% of employees prioritize workplace culture over compensation when considering a new job, highlighting the necessity for companies to create a truly engaging and supportive environment. Additionally, organizations that prioritize employee well-being have been found to experience 21% higher profitability and 41% lower absenteeism. As we approach 2025, it's clear that a more holistic approach to workplace culture, incorporating the ten fundamental elements you mention, is essential for cultivating a thriving workforce that aligns with both productivity and a people-first philosophy.

The Great Detachment Antidote

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