A big shout-out to my client and friend, Harriet Stein, for bringing the “Gallup Workplace Trends” report to my attention and now to yours. Here are ten highlights from the report and how I think you can leverage each for your speaking business.
- Employee Engagement Drops to 21%
Trend: Global engagement has declined, costing $438 billion in productivity. (Yikes!)
Speakers: Offer programs that reignite team purpose and connection. Reposition your messaging to emphasize how your content drives engagement, culture, and morale.
- Manager Engagement Declines Sharply
Trend: Manager engagement fell, especially among younger and female leaders.
Speakers: Target managers with leadership programs focusing on resilience, communication, change and uncertainty. Consider offering manager-specific breakout sessions, small groups or toolkits.This could be an add-on, deep dive after a keynote.
- Employee Wellbeing Declines
Trend: Fewer employees feel they are thriving in their jobs.
Speakers: Package your programs to support employee wellbeing such as stress management, emotional intelligence, and work life balance. These options may be great positioning for speaking, training, and aftercare offers.
- Rise of the ‘Great Detachment’
Trend: Workers are staying put but emotionally checking out.
Speakers: Create programs around re-engaging the “quiet quitters.” Position your programs as helping companies reconnect employees to purpose, mission, goals, and teams.
- AI Adoption Lag
Trend: Only 10% of employees use AI weekly despite investments.
Speakers: Bridge the gap by speaking on practical, low-risk AI applications that empower employees. You don’t have to be a tech speaker to offer guidance on mindset and adoption.
- Hybrid Work Needs Structure
Trend: Hybrid is here to stay, but many teams lack systems and clarity.
Speakers: Build presentations on productivity, communication, and collaboration in hybrid settings. Offer follow-up consulting or virtual training to help teams implement new charters or norms. This is a great “Aftercare” item.
- Manager Burnout Is Rising
Trend: Managers are overwhelmed and under-supported.
Speakers: Position your programs as burnout prevention and leadership renewal. Focus on giving leaders tools to protect their time, energy, and focus. Consider bundling programs and coaching.
- Declining Trust in Leadership
Trend: Many employees feel their companies don’t care about them.
Speakers: Speak on building trus through transparency, empathy, and authenticity. Position yourself as a partner who helps leaders rebuild credibility and reconnect with teams.
- Regional Gaps in Engagement
Trend: Europe has the lowest engagement levels (13%), showing global disparity.
Speakers: Market internationally by aligning your messaging with regional needs. Use this data to pitch content tailored to low-engagement markets, especially if you speak globally or virtually.
- Engagement = Economic Power
Trend: Fully engaged employees could add $9.6 trillion to the economy.
Speakers: Use this data in your proposals and keynotes, show that what you offer isn’t fluff, it impacts the bottom line. Elevate your value proposition from motivation to ROI. In the end, decision makers need to see the ROI of your program.
Copyright 2025, Lois Creamer. Lois Creamer works with professional speakers who want to book more business, make more money, and monetize their message.
Check out the newest edition of her book, Book More Business: Make MORE Money Speaking available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/ci7yWxz
Reach her in the following ways: Lois@BookMoreBusiness.com
314-374-4007
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