Leadership & People Development

Quiet quitting, a subtle disengagement from work, poses a significant challenge to productivity and employee well-being. The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety disorders, often linked to disengagement, cost the global economy nearly US$1 trillion each year in lost productivity, highlighting the critical need for managers to address this issue proactively.

With the World Health Organization estimating that depression and anxiety cost the global economy US$1 trillion per year in lost productivity, equipping Singaporean managers with essential coaching skills is crucial for fostering a supportive workplace and mitigating these economic and human costs.

Building a coaching culture can significantly enhance employee well-being and productivity. Research on a joint employee-manager intervention, MENTOR 2.0, demonstrated reductions in psychological distress and improvements in productivity within an average program duration of 65 days, achieving an 87% post-intervention retention rate.

Middle managers in Singapore often bear a disproportionate burden of workplace stress, contributing to the estimated SGD 15.7 billion annual cost to employers from poor employee mental health. Addressing their unique challenges is crucial for overall organizational well-being and productivity.

Workplace mental health is a growing priority for employers, especially given that depression and anxiety symptoms could be costing Singapore nearly SGD 16 billion a year in lost productivity, according to a study by Duke-NUS Medical School and IMH. Leaders play a crucial role in fostering a supportive environment, but the extent of personal disclosure requires careful consideration.

Effective high-potential programs are crucial for talent development, especially given that 1 in 3 employees in Singapore experienced work stress or burnout in 2022. Designing programs that genuinely develop people, rather than just identify them, is key to fostering a resilient and productive workforce.