#United States #New York #Employee Engagement #Dale Carnegie #Organizational Health

The State of Organizational Health Report by Dale Carnegie

On January 27, 2026, Dale Carnegie unveiled its first-ever State of Organizational Health Report, a comprehensive study assessing the health of various organizations globally. This report comes at a crucial time for leaders looking to establish benchmarks against current global and regional trends.

The research encompassed over 3,300 individuals across 18 countries and diverse sectors, offering insights into how organizations are evolving in terms of their workplace environments, communication, and employee engagement.

Key Findings

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The report presents an optimistic view overall, with measurable progress in communication, job satisfaction, and employee engagement metrics for many organizations. Moreover, Dr. Robert Coleman, the report’s author and director of research at Dale Carnegie, emphasized the significant advancements in how individuals connect and interact at work. However, he cautioned against complacency, noting the inconsistent experiences many employees still face.

Communication and Engagement

While some organizations have made strides in fostering effective communication, only 22% of employees rated workplace communication as highly effective. This indicates a disconnect between organizational intentions and actual experiences, urging leaders to improve communication strategies.

The Role of Empathy

Empathy emerged as a critical cultural asset in the workplace, with only 17% of respondents feeling that their organizations exhibit deep levels of empathy. Notably, there was a substantial gap in perception, with 62% of leaders acknowledging supportive empathy, contrasting sharply with 21% of individual contributors. This disparity signals a need for leadership to bridge the gap and enhance interpersonal connections within teams.

Flexibility in the Workplace

The research highlighted a trend towards normalization of hybrid and remote work, showcasing significant improvements in various workplace aspects. However, it also raised concerns about potential inequities faced by onsite employees, necessitating organizations to ensure inclusivity in their work models.

Decisiveness and Retention

The findings also revealed an increasing decisiveness among employees regarding their workplace experiences. The data showed that while engagement levels rose, there is still variance in how well organizations can retain staff. The percentage of deeply engaged employees rose to 23%, and there was a marginal increase in the intent to stay, suggesting a shift towards more favorable workplace sentiments.

Regional Insights

The State of Organizational Health report not only aggregated global insights but also included in-depth regional analyses showcasing how cultural differences influence organizational performance. Variations in empathy, innovation, and work-life balance were highlighted across regions, illustrating that the challenges organizations face are not uniformly applicable. Each region presents unique opportunities for improving organizational health.

Conclusion

The inaugural report by Dale Carnegie paints a promising yet complex picture of organizational health. While there are notable achievements in communication and employee engagement, significant challenges remain in fostering consistent and empathetic workplace cultures. Organizations are encouraged to utilize the report's findings to strengthen their internal systems and ensure long-term success.

As the landscape of work continues to evolve, leveraging insights from such reports will be critical for fostering environments that support employees and promote resilience within organizations.

For a deeper dive into the findings and strategic recommendations, the full State of Organizational Health Report is now available for viewing at Dale Carnegie’s official website.