American Management Association (AMA), a global leader in professional development, announced the release of its newest research, The Manager-Employee Disconnect on Engagement and Effectiveness. Compiled from survey responses of more than 1,300 professionals worldwide, the report reveals striking gaps in how managers view their engagement, priorities and effectiveness, and how their employees perceive them.
While both groups agree that communication, coaching and collaboration are the most critical management skills, they sharply disagree on how well managers are delivering — 59% of managers report their own engagement has increased over the past year, yet 80% of employees say their managers’ engagement has plateaued or declined.
“This disconnect signals a critical challenge for organizations,” said Manny Avramidis, President & CEO, AMA. “Managers believe they’re stepping up, but employees don’t always see it. Closing this perception gap requires sharper communication, stronger coaching and more intentional collaboration”
Key Findings from the Report:
- Urgent new responsibilities: Both managers and employees identified managing expanded workloads, navigating change, and cross-organizational collaboration as the most pressing new demands of the past year.
- Different priorities: Managers rank achieving departmental goals as their top function, while employees place the highest value on communication.
- Generational differences: Gen Z respondents (ages 18–28) rated collaboration much higher than older generations, suggesting that flatter organizations and more cooperative management styles will be vital for the future.
- Perceived lack of support: 83% of managers said leadership provides what they need to succeed, compared to only 60% of non-managers.
Implications for Organizations
The report provides actionable insights and strategies to help organizations close these perception gaps. It also highlights the importance of sharpening managers’ skills across communication, coaching and collaboration; skills that reduce stress for employees and build trust across teams. Strengthening these capabilities also enhances decision making, critical thinking and problem solving, enabling managers to tackle heavier workloads and lead through change more effectively.
“Organizations can’t afford to overlook this gap,” said Avramidis. “As expectations for managers intensify, the ability to connect with employees and foster a collaborative culture will define success.”
The Whitepaper, The Manager-Employee Disconnect on Engagement and Effectiveness, is available for complimentary download here.
Explore HRtech News for the Latest Tech Trends in Human Resources Technology
