If your team seems checked out, you’re not imagining it - global employee engagement just hit its lowest point since the pandemic. According to Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace report, global employee engagement dropped to 21% last year, matching the decline seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That should be a wake-up call to employers of all sizes.

The data in the report is clear. Disengaged employees cost the global economy an estimated $438 billion in lost productivity. But what stands out the most to me is: 70% of a team’s engagement is directly tied to their manager. And right now, managers are struggling. Engagement among managers fell from 30% to 27%, with young and female managers experiencing the steepest declines.

We could fix much of the employee engagement issue by finding ways to help managers perform better. One way to make a meaningful difference is by investing in professional development and leadership training. These types of programs boost employee performance, retention, and morale. Professional development programs help people grow in ways that make the whole organization stronger by building adaptability, preparing future leaders, and driving long-term success.

This matters here in Eagle County just as much as it does globally. Our workforce is the backbone of our economy, and when our people are disengaged, our businesses, nonprofits, and communities suffer.

So, what can we do about it? How can we help our managers and supervisors, and in turn, help improve employee engagement within our organizations?

I believe the answer lies in intentional investment in people. Through our Vail Valley Works programs, we’re helping local employers build cultures of engagement and leadership that drive results. These programs were built specifically for the challenges our local businesses face.

Take our Community Leadership Academy (CLA), for example. CLA is about equipping emerging leaders with the tools to inspire, coach, and connect. Participants learn how to lead with empathy, communicate effectively, and build trust, skills that Gallup identifies as essential to boosting engagement.

Consider our Management Essentials series. Management Essentials covers a variety of practical skills that apply to the day-to-day work of anyone supervising or managing a team. Each session includes key takeaways that can be implemented immediately within your organization.

For those new to management, our Taking the Lead program offers practical, hands-on training that aligns perfectly with Gallup’s findings: even basic role training can cut active disengagement in half. When managers feel prepared and supported, they’re more likely to thrive, and so are their teams.

But engagement isn’t just about training. It’s about culture. It’s about creating workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and connected to a larger purpose. Gallup’s research shows that engaged employees are not only more productive, but they’re also more likely to be thriving in life overall. That’s a powerful ripple effect.

Here in the Vail Valley, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example. We’re a community that values quality of life, connection, and innovation. Let’s extend those values into our workplaces.

That means checking in with your team, not just on deadlines, but on how they’re doing. It means recognizing great work, encouraging development, and fostering a sense of belonging. It means rethinking the role of the manager, not as a taskmaster, but as a coach and culture carrier.

We know what works. Gallup found that organizations that prioritize engagement can boost productivity by up to 28% and unlock trillions in economic potential. When we invest in our people, we invest in a future where everyone, not just businesses, can thrive.

Chris Romer is the president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, a 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com.