When the Spine of the Workplace Needs Support
Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workforce report came with a loud wake-up call: employee engagement is dropping—again. Just 21% of employees globally say they feel fully engaged at work. For managers, it’s only slightly higher at 27%. That means nearly three-quarters of those responsible for leading others are showing up to work feeling disconnected from their own purpose. And that disconnection ripples through entire teams. It’s no surprise, then, that 70% of employee engagement can be traced back to the person managing them.
We’re not just in a workplace slump—we’re in a workplace shift. Burnout is real. Misalignment is costly. People are questioning not just how they work but why. And while the numbers might look discouraging, we see this moment as a powerful opportunity. Because when things feel broken, we can rebuild them stronger—starting at the spine.
At Translator’s Consulting Group, we use the idea of SOMEbodiness to guide this work. It’s a reminder that everybody is somebody—and that meaningful change happens through everyday systems, not just big announcements. SOME stands for Systems, Opportunities, Meetings and Evaluations. When these four areas reflect inclusion, transparency and trust, everything else gets better—engagement, performance, culture and retention.
Think about it: what would shift if meetings were built for perspective, not just updates? If opportunities were open to everyone, not just the familiar faces? If evaluations prioritized growth instead of judgment? These aren’t distant dreams—they’re real practices we help teams put into motion. And the results are not only encouraging—they’re transformational.
Through coaching, consulting, facilitated learning and strategy work, we help leaders and organizations re-center people. We guide them in designing cultures that build trust from the ground up, communicate with clarity and encourage meaningful contribution from all. From retreats and 360-degree assessments to onboarding and team alignment, our services are built for leaders who want to grow with intention—and help others do the same.
We know that no one can fix the workplace alone. But with the right support, leaders can create small shifts with big outcomes. We’ve seen it happen time and again: when someone feels seen, supported and stretched in the right ways, they bring their best to the team. Culture changes. Performance grows. And people stay—because they feel they belong.
This is the work we’re here for. If your team is feeling the weight of change, or your leaders are navigating uncertainty, know this: you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Start with the spine. Start with somebody.