Workers are expressing anxiety around their capacity to respond to technological change, economic uncertainty, and data security, according to a new report. 

The 2025 State of EQ Report, published last week by the HR consulting firm TalentSmartEQ, is based on a survey of more than 600 workers, mostly based in North America and conducted in late 2024. The findings suggest that global workers are looking for more leadership around workplace challenges and rapidly updating technologies. 

For instance, 81 percent of survey respondents said that improving collaboration was a top priority, followed by engagement (78 percent) and adaptability to change (67 percent). “The prioritization of these elements underscores the importance of fostering connection, trust, and engagement in achieving sustainable success in a complex and competitive business environment,” according to the report. 

Coming short in terms of collaboration seems to have an impact in terms of how comfortable workers feel today. According to the survey, workers selected “work-life balance” and “stress” as their key challenges (34 percent each), well ahead of nuts-and-bolts matters such as job security and career development. 

The findings highlight the importance of soft-skills leadership to retain employees. “The focus on work-life balance and stress as top concerns reflects the challenge of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being, worsened by hybrid work, heavy workloads, and blurred boundaries between home and office,” the report said. “This cycle can lead to burnout, reduced productivity, and disengagement. To retain talent and build a sustainable workforce, organizations must prioritize flexible work arrangements, mental health resources, and realistic workload expectations.”

The report suggests leaders facilitate small sessions for candid conversations about fears, frustrations, and uncertainties.

Looking toward the longer term, survey respondents said that in the next year or two they’re thinking most about the impact of data security (58 percent) and technological change (56 percent), ahead of matters such as artificial intelligence, DEI, and social responsibility. That prioritization, the report says, reflects “a focus on managing immediate risks and operational challenges in an increasingly complex, inter-connected environment.”

The report encourages leaders to focus on improving cybersecurity and support for new technologies, and generally being more adaptive around change. Such training, the report suggests, is more successful if it’s done in a conversational format, with more opportunities for peer learning, allowing people to share concerns as well as receive education. “Facilitate small sessions for candid conversations about fears, frustrations, and uncertainties,” the report said. “Guided discussions help teams process emotions and focus on actionable steps they can take, building trust, resilience, and a sense of control.”

In addition, organizations should do more to train their people around new trend lines, and pay attention to employees’ well-being. “Train leaders in empathy, effective communication, and decision-making, using role-playing to practice tough conversations and feedback,” the report advised. “Provide coaching to help balance operational goals with employee well-being.”

[istock/DKosig]