The State of Engagement: 2025 Round-Up

We’ve interviewed eight founders, CEOs and people leaders on the state of engagement this year, and a few themes came through loud and clear. 

 

1. Trust and autonomy matter more than ever.
From Rafael at Ujji’s ownership-led culture to Aled at Lumen SEO’s “environment shapes outcomes”, people do their best work when they’re trusted to get on with it.

2. Culture is behaviour, not branding.
Elly at Boost, Bianca at HumanOS and Leon at Adam all showed that culture isn’t perks or posters – it’s how people treat each other, and whether leaders model what they ask for.

3. Clarity drives engagement.
Chris from the Content Hub highlighted the need for clear expectations; Marlene Leis from the Graduate Guide showed how young talent wants transparency and direction, not vague mission talk.

4. Purpose helps, but only if it’s real.
Maji and HumanOS demonstrate that purpose resonates when people can see the impact of their work — not just hear the slogan.

Across every conversation, the message was consistent:

Engagement is created through trust, clarity and human connection – not perks, policies or posters.

More voices coming in 2026.

 

Contact  CHEER!

 

Click here for past editions of The State of Engagement