I often use this quote in my LinkedIn for Leaders workshops with corporate clients:
“Socially engaged companies are 40% more likely to be perceived as competitive, 57% more likely to get increased sales leads, and 58% more likely to attract top talent.”
It’s a powerful statement from an infographic LinkedIn and Altimeter published about 10 years ago. Recently, I came across this infographic again, and it struck me how relevant those insights still are today. It also made me curious—how have things changed in the last decade?
To explore this, I’ve compared the original findings with recent reports on employee engagement and social leadership. Here’s a look back at that influential infographic and what the latest research tells us about where we stand now.
The 2014 Infographic: Social Leadership and Engagement Insights
Ten years ago, LinkedIn and Altimeter highlighted how social leadership impacts employee engagement and key business metrics. Here are the standout findings:
- Perception of Competitiveness: Socially engaged companies were 40% more likely to be seen as competitive.
- Business Impact: 57% more likely to generate sales leads and 58% more likely to attract top talent.
- Employee Optimism: Employees at these companies felt 27% more optimistic about their future and 20% more inspired.
- Engagement Gap: Only 13% of employees globally were engaged, while 63% reported being disengaged.
These statistics showcased the transformative potential of leaders embracing social platforms like LinkedIn—not just for business outcomes but for empowering employees.
2024 Insights: What Do Today’s Reports Reveal?
Fast forward to 2024, and the conversation around employee engagement has evolved. Here are highlights from the latest reports that provide a decade-long comparison:
I often research how many employees of a customer have posted on Linkedin in the last 30 days.
This employee posting rate is a great indicator to spotlight the level of engagement of employees on Linkedin.
it is particularly interesting for C-level to know the numbers for leaders, sales employees or non sales employees and compare them with numbers from companies they compete with in their industry and on linkedin.
But engagement numbers on Linkedin are an obvious results of how employees are engaged at work and empowered and willing to share on Linkedin and support corporate brand and employer brand awareness initiatives.
So here are some recent reports about Employee Engagement insights in 2024
1. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report
This report analyzes global employee engagement and wellbeing trends.
- Employee Engagement: 23% of employees globally are engaged at work.
- Employee Stress: 44% of employees reported daily stress.
- Employee Wellbeing: 33% of employees are thriving in their overall wellbeing.
- Regional Engagement: North America leads with 33% engagement; Europe lags at 21%.
- Manager Influence: Managers account for 70% of the variance in team engagement.
So what? Global employee engagement remains low, with significant regional disparities. Managerial effectiveness is crucial in enhancing team engagement and overall wellbeing.
Source: Gallup 2024 Report
2. People Element’s 2024 Employee Engagement Report
This report details drivers of employee engagement and offers insights to inspire employees and improve performance.
- Employee Engagement: 56% of employees are engaged, down from 61% in 2020.
- Disengagement Cost: Low engagement costs the global economy approximately $8.8 trillion, accounting for 9% of global GDP.
- Key Engagement Drivers: Recognition, career development, and leadership trust are pivotal.
- Generational Differences: Millennials and Gen Z prioritize flexibility and purpose.
- Impact of Remote Work: Remote work has mixed effects on engagement, varying by individual preferences.
So what? Declining engagement levels have substantial economic implications. Addressing key drivers and accommodating generational preferences are essential for improvement.
Source: People Element 2024 Report
3. McLean & Company’s Employee Engagement Trends Report 2024
This report provides insights, analysis, and benchmarking data on employee engagement trends from 2019 to 2023.
Engagement Stability: Minimal changes in engagement between 2022 and 2023.
Pandemic Impact: Engagement spiked during COVID-19 but is returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Manager Effectiveness: Elevated levels compared to pre-pandemic, indicating enhanced support.
Employee Wellbeing: Wellbeing remains a critical factor influencing engagement.
Future Outlook: Organizations must adapt to sustain engagement post-pandemic.
So what? While engagement levels have stabilized, sustaining them requires ongoing managerial support and attention to employee wellbeing.
Source: McLean & Company 2024 Report
4. Qualtrics’ 2024 Employee Experience Trends Report
This report explores the thoughts and feelings of 37,000 employees worldwide, highlighting trends reshaping the workplace.
- AI Adoption: Employees are open to AI if it aids in achieving goals.
- Hybrid Work: Some in-office time is preferred over fully remote or five-day office weeks.
- Frontline Challenges: Frontline employees feel unsupported and less trusting.
- Employee Voice: There’s a growing desire for employees to have a say in workplace experiences.
- New-Hire Engagement: Engagement among new hires is lower than that of tenured employees.
So what? Understanding and addressing these trends is vital for organizations aiming to enhance employee experience and retention.
Source: Qualtrics 2024 Report
5. Achievers’ 2024 Engagement and Retention Report
This report examines factors influencing employee engagement and retention, based on surveys of over 5,000 individuals.
- Turnover Intentions: Two-thirds of employees plan to job hunt or are considering it.
- Engagement Drivers: Recognition, career development, and leadership trust are crucial.
- Financial Concerns: While compensation is important, other factors significantly impact engagement.
- Generational Differences: Younger employees prioritize flexibility and purpose.
- Managerial Role: Effective managers are key to fostering engagement and retention.
So what? High turnover intentions highlight the need for organizations to focus on recognition, development, and trust to retain talent.
Source: Achievers 2024 Report
6. Inspirus’ 2024 Employee Engagement Trends & Forecasts Q4
This report delves into HR and employee engagement trends shaping the future workplace.
- Economic Uncertainty: Growing economic uncertainty affects employee engagement and retention efforts.
- Employee Stress: High levels of stress and burnout are influenced by workloads and economic pressures.
- Financial Strain: Rising childcare and healthcare costs add to employee stress.
- Employer Strategies: Employers are reassessing strategies to ensure resilience during economic fluctuations.
- Workplace Flexibility: Balancing stability with employee engagement and retention is crucial.
So what? Economic challenges necessitate adaptive strategies to maintain employee engagement and wellbeing.
Source: Inspirus 2024 Report
7. Microsoft’s Work Trend Index: 2024 Annual Report
This report explores how AI is transforming work and its impact on employee engagement and productivity.
- AI Adoption: 75% of knowledge workers use AI at work.
- Employee Productivity: 90% of AI users report time savings, and 85% say it helps them focus on important tasks.
- Creativity Boost: 84% of employees feel AI enhances their creativity.
- Leadership Challenges: 60% of leaders are concerned about their organization’s lack of a clear AI implementation plan.
- Employee Initiative: 78% of employees are bringing their own AI tools to work, often without formal approval.
So what? The widespread adoption of AI by employees underscores its perceived value in enhancing productivity and creativity. However, the lack of structured AI strategies within organizations highlights the need for leadership to develop clear implementation plans to harness AI’s full potential effectively.
Source: Microsoft 2024 Work Trend Index
A Decade of Change: Then and Now
The 2014 infographic demonstrated the power of social leadership in boosting employee engagement and achieving business success. While engagement levels have improved over the past 10 years, challenges like stress, retention, and leadership gaps remain. New dynamics—like the rise of AI, flexible work, and diversity—are now shaping the conversation, but the core principles of trust, recognition, and development still hold true.
Take Action: Elevate Your Leadership Team on LinkedIn
If you want to become a socially engaged leader or boost your team’s LinkedIn presence, start by exploring the free resources on our website. Take the LinkedIn Maturity Survey to assess your strengths and identify next steps for improvement.
For organizations, we offer tailored workshops to help leaders, sales teams, and employees harness the power of LinkedIn for talent attraction, brand visibility, and employee advocacy.
Let’s connect to create a LinkedIn strategy that works for you.