GALLUP’s 2026 State of the Global Workplace report paints a vivid picture of a world in the midst of an AI revolution, one where technology is advancing rapidly, but the human side of work is struggling to keep pace. The missing link isn’t the technology itself, but how well managers lead their teams through change. Gallup’s data shows that organizations with managers who actively champion AI see far greater adoption and impact, underscoring the critical role of leadership in this new era.
Key findings from the report:
- Despite billions poured into artificial intelligence, most organizations have yet to see real gains in profits or productivity.
- Global employee engagement has declined for the second year in a row, now at 20%, with South Asia experiencing the largest drop and no region reporting an increase.
- The traditional engagement advantage for managers has disappeared, with manager engagement dropping sharply, especially in regions affected by organizational flattening and AI-driven cuts.
- Employee wellbeing (“thriving”) improved slightly to 34%, but daily negative emotions like stress, anger, and sadness remain above pre-pandemic levels.
- Regional differences are stark: the U.S. and Canada lead in engagement, Latin America and Australia/New Zealand in wellbeing, while Europe and South Asia lag behind in both engagement and emotional health.
Click here to access the report.
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