You're not the exception

Gallup published its 2026 State of the Global Workplace report earlier this year, and one finding particularly stood out to me. By their measure, global workforce "engagement" has fallen to its lowest point since 2020, costing the world an estimated $10 trillion in lost productivity.

It's worth drawing out exactly what Gallup means by engagement, because it's quite specific. To measure it, they ask twelve questions which they've refined over the years of publishing this report: do you know what's expected of you, do you have what you need to do your job well, do you get to do what you do best most days, has someone noticed and recognised your work recently, does anyone at work seem to care about you as a person, is someone encouraging your growth. They're not asking about your feelings or your pay. They're focusing on whether the environment for good work, and for being noticed doing it, is in place.

The results aren't really that surprising, many of us are experiencing this. What stuck out for me was that it isn't just the junior end of the workforce, who you might expect to be less engaged, it's managers too. And between 2022 and 2025, manager engagement fell from 31% to 22%, a far steeper drop than any other level in organisations. For years the people leading teams reported higher engagement than the people they led, but now that gap has closed. The very people meant to be the steady ones, holding everyone else together, are running on the same empty fuel tank as everyone underneath them.

I read that and thought of the clients I've worked with this year. Capable, experienced, still delivering, and on their knees. Except none of them would say it that clearly, because saying it feels like admitting failure, that something's wrong with them.

If you're leading right now and you're feeling this too, you're not the exception. Sadly, you're one of many, and there's nothing wrong with you, there's something wrong with this system.

Something new from me

I'm opening a private community called In The Room, a closed space for honest conversations about work, peer support from people who are living through difficult situations, and direct access to me.

I'm inviting the first 50 people in for free for three months, and I'd love you to be among them. If you're dealing with something at work that you haven't been able to talk about properly, this might be the place.

Express your interest here

What am I reading? 📚

Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott's book on writing, is about a lot more than writing.

She says this and I agree.

Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.

What am I watching? 👀

We went to see Nick Cave in Brighton last Friday. It was an amazing show and a wonderful surprise to see Kylie.

But what sticks in my mind is something he does in his performances where he walks out into the crowd and they hold him up. He stands vertically, his feet and legs held up by many hands underneath him. It's far more elegant than crowdsurfing. There's an incredible sense of trust between him and the crowd. He has to believe the crowd will hold him, and the crowd has to do it. It's special. Here's a little clip.

What am I listening to?👂

I always enjoy Krishnan Guru-Murthy's Ways to Save the World series. This interview with Binaifer Nowrojee, president of the Open Society Foundations, one of the world's most influential human rights organisations is worth your time.

Joy-giving things 😍

In a world of so much awfulness, can we take a few moments to celebrate Jimothy, the Seattle raccoon with short spine syndrome? What a guy! Everything you need to know about Jimothy.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend

Lucy

I've been writing regular blogs since 2020. If you want to have a look at my back catalogue, they are all here.

If you're wondering whether coaching might help you think through where you are and where you're going next, I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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If you like what you read and you'd like to show your appreciation in cash, you can do that here. I'd be very grateful!