WorkWell Leaders Impact Measure
Groundbreaking study finds leader wellbeing has the most significant impact on organisational wellbeing and performance
Science-backed analysis by WorkWell Leaders with National University of Singapore outlines for the first time actionable priorities from over 200 factors
Leaders have to be well to lead well for organisational wellbeing and performance:
- Leader wellbeing 11 times more effective than employee participation in stress management or resilience programmes
- and four times more effective than use of employee wellbeing apps
The Organisational Wellbeing–Performance Matrix:
The chart demonstrates the intersection between Organisational Wellbeing and Organisational Performance by examining over 200 factors
The WorkWell Leaders Impact Measure 2025 is a groundbreaking, science-backed study developed in partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS). Drawing on data from over 2,400 employees across a nationally representative sample, this first-of-its-kind research analysed more than 200 factors impacting workplace wellbeing and performance.
The headline finding is clear: leader wellbeing is the single most powerful driver of organisational wellbeing, which in turn is the strongest predictor of business performance. In fact, leader wellbeing is 11 times more impactful than stress management programmes and four times more effective than wellbeing apps in improving organisational outcomes.
The study also reveals wide-ranging, data-driven insights into other key contributors to wellbeing and performance, providing leaders with a valuable guide for strategic decision-making and investment planning, including:
- The transformative role of inclusive cultures, where a sense of belonging has 9 times more impact than traditional bonuses on organisational wellbeing.
- The power of work design to overcome low engagement through job variety, autonomy, and feedback.
- An expectation for leaders to walk the talk, yet a clear gap between intention and action, with only 1 in 6 C-suites taking primary responsibility for wellbeing, despite it being a proven strategic driver.
Supported by the Bank of Singapore, BinjaiTree, Health Promotion Board, and NCSS, this study offers leaders a data-driven actionable priorities to move beyond well-meaning but ineffective initiatives.
The white paper findings were unveiled at the 2025 WorkWell Leaders Awards Gala, attended by over 400 CEOs, with their teams, alongside public and community leaders. For the first time, WorkWell Leaders also unveiled Singapore’s Top 25 Impact Employers to shine a spotlight on organisations that lead by example, demonstrating that prioritising employee wellbeing is not just good for people, but also good for business.