Korn Ferry: Leaders have to rethink how work gets done
Source: HR Dive ↗
Korn Ferry’s latest research warns that the surge in workplace activity is not translating into higher productivity, urging leaders to fundamentally redesign how work is organized. The firm’s consultants highlighted that many executives underestimate the disruptive impact of recent changes, with 39 percent of surveyed leaders anticipating only moderate or major disruption yet more than half actually experiencing it. This mismatch, coupled with a “been there, done that” mindset, is leading talent to operate in environments where they cannot achieve meaningful results, according to Tricia Nelson, global marketing and sales director at Korn Ferry.
The report underscores that high activity levels mask deeper inefficiencies: 44 percent of workers feel stretched beyond their capabilities, and merely increasing workload does not drive growth. Roger Philby, Korn Ferry’s Global Lead of People Strategy and Performance, stresses that companies must restructure tasks so employees can see the impact of their contributions, while colleague Uren argues that passion separates minimal performance from the drive needed for expansion. The findings suggest that organizations that revamp workflows to allow space for experimentation and innovation will be better positioned for growth, rather than relying on past experience as a substitute for self‑development.
For HR professionals, the study’s key takeaway is that productivity cannot be measured by activity alone; it requires enabling talent to perform at their best. The research implies that firms ignoring these insights risk continued disengagement and sub‑optimal output, whereas those that adopt a refreshed approach to work design may unlock higher engagement and sustainable growth. The broader implication is a call for leaders to shift focus from quantity of work to quality of impact, aligning organizational structures with the capabilities and motivations of their workforce.
⚡ Effects Interpreter
🌍World Economylow impact
What this means for you
- ▶Imports and exports between big trading partners might feel a direct tug.
- ▶Manufacturing hubs overseas may adjust output if demand signals change.
🏙️Local Economylow impact
What this means for you
- ▶Local hiring plans may firm up or soften as the wider trend becomes clear.
- ▶Household bills might drift in step with the bigger economic picture.
🏦Rates & Banksmedium impact
What this means for you
- ▶Lenders often reserve big rate moves for clearer economic signals.
- ▶A change in the cost of money, if it comes, will likely arrive subtly.
❤️Healthlow impact
What this means for you
- ▶Local health services could get busier depending on how things develop.
- ▶Worry has a way of spreading faster than the facts sometimes.
💷Wealthlow impact
What this means for you
- ▶A brief dip in value is not the same as a permanent loss.
- ▶A modest, well-diversified nest egg tends to absorb shocks like this gradually.
🏠Housinglow impact
What this means for you
- ▶A patient seller usually fares better than one rushing to react to headlines.
- ▶Rental yields in the area may shift only slightly, if at all, from this.
🌍 Effects for your country
The U.S.'s central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The U.S.'s economy is growing at 2.3% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the U.S.'s own central bank rate closely. With the U.S.'s unemployment at 4.4%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the U.S. depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UK's central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UK's economy is growing at 0.8% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UK's own central bank rate closely. With the UK's unemployment at 5.6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UK depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
France's central bank rate currently stands at 2%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. France's economy is growing at 0.9% with inflation at 1.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track France's own central bank rate closely. With France's unemployment at 7.9%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is already under strain. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in France depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
Romania's central bank rate currently stands at 6.5%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. Romania's economy is growing at 0.7% with inflation at 7.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track Romania's own central bank rate closely. With Romania's unemployment at 6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in Romania depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UAE's central bank rate currently stands at 3.65%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UAE's economy is growing at 3.1% with inflation at 2.5%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UAE's own central bank rate closely. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UAE depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.