How to retain talent in a rapidly changing world?

Let’s face it: the workplace is evolving at lightning speed. With the competition for top talent intensifies, hanging onto your best people has never been more important for business success.

And that’s exactly what we talked about at our breakfast event together with PWC in Gothenburg. Trine Bø-Pedersen from PwC shared some fascinating insights based some of the world’s largest employee surveys, giving us all a better look at what’s driving today’s workplace challenges — and the opportunities to tackle them head-on.

It's a complex world, so what drives change?

It’s a wild mix out there. On one side, we’ve got short-term crises like inflation, energy crisis, and global conflicts. On the other, long-term trends like climate change, tech innovations, and demographic shifts are shaking things up.

Trine pointed out that this ever-changing landscape means businesses can’t just focus on attracting talent — they need to think long-term about keeping their people happy and motivated. Her take?

“The need to ensure employees are motivated, engaged, and equipped to handle change has never been greater.”

Findings from PwC’s Global Surveys

PwC has gathered data from over 56,000 employees across 50 countries, along with insights from 1,000 Swedish employees spanning seven industries. The reports highlight four key factors impacting employee engagement:

1. Too many changes, too fast: Four in ten Swedish employees have faced big shifts at work like changed tasks, new systems or restructured teams. Half of them feel it’s all happening too quickly.
2. Trust issues with leadership: Only 59% of Swedish employees trust senior leaders to keep their promises. That’s a noticeable drop compared to 68% globally. Poor communication seems to be the culprit.
3. Limited adoption of AI: While 32% of global leaders are rolling out AI tools, only 18% of Swedish leaders have done the same. Catching up might be key to staying competitive.
4. More job-hopping: Economic uncertainty has people rethinking their loyalty, with many considering switching jobs or asking for raises.
   

What makes a great leader today?

Leadership isn’t just about keeping the lights on anymore. It’s about navigating complexity with purpose and clarity. Trine laid out five key traits for tomorrow’s leaders:

• ‍A clear vision: Painting a clear picture of how the organisation creates value in this complex world.‍
• Bold ambition: A commitment to tackling critical issues, even when they require big transformation.‍
• Delivering results: Building trust by meeting promises and achieving goals.‍
• Attracting talent: Acting as a catalyst to bring in the necessary skills and resources.‍
• Engaging employees: Ensuring that employees feel supported and motivated throughout periods of change.

It’s about more than just money

Sure, a decent salary matters, but it’s not the whole story. PwC’s research shows employees value:

• Work that feels meaningful, with chances to grow.
• Fair pay and benefits that support their well-being.
• Inclusive workplaces with leaders who genuinely care.

As Trine put it:

“A strong employee value proposition isn’t just about money; it’s about creating an environment where employees can grow and thrive.”

PwC and Winningtemp – A winning combination

The collaboration between PwC and Winningtemp provides businesses with data-driven solutions to understand and enhance the employee experience.

Winningtemp’s platform offers insights that help leaders identify challenges and implement targeted actions, while PwC contributes strategic development, reporting, and analysis to deliver tangible results in both the short and long term.

Looking ahead

In a world that never stands still, keeping your best employees is just as important as finding them. Companies that invest in bold leadership and a meaningful employee experience will be the ones to thrive in the long run.

As Trine wisely said:

“It’s about understanding what truly drives engagement and creating a workplace where everyone can succeed.”