How engagement can power up your leadership, success, and prosperity in 2025.

By Tony Robbins

When you think about what truly drives extraordinary results in any field, the answer is always engagement. Engagement isn’t just about showing up; it’s about bringing your full self to every moment, every interaction, and every challenge. This is where true power lies — both for individuals and for businesses. In 2025, the opportunity to harness the transformative power of engagement has never been greater.

Over my four-and-a-half decades of coaching and personal experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how engagement can elevate leaders and foster unparalleled results and success. What’s also true is that far too many people are disengaged or engaged in ways that don’t contribute to their personal or professional success. 

Unfortunately, most people major in minor things. They know more about a social media personality’s “life” than they do their own dreams, desires, goals, and how to get there. 

And disengagement comes with a hefty price tag. Gallup estimates that the lack of engagement is costing the global economy an astounding $8.9 trillion in productivity losses, which translates to about 9 percent of the world’s GDP. This isn’t just a financial issue — it’s a fundamental human one. People who are not engaged experience heightened levels of stress, sadness, loneliness, and frustration. They are less productive and less likely to contribute positively to their communities and organizations.

What does this mean for businesses? According to a recent Gallup poll, engagement of employees is at record lows. Most companies have on average only 31% of employees who are actively engaged, 51% not engaged, and 18% so massively disengaged that they cause issues across the organization. 

When you compare companies in the top and bottom quartiles of engagement, companies in the top 25% had:

• 22% higher profitability
• 10% higher customer rating
• 28% less theft
• 48% fewer safety incidents
  
  

This is all in addition to:

• A sense of meaning/mission 
• Appreciation across the organization
• 2x greater job satisfaction
• 3x more likely to stay long-term
  
  

Let’s be clear: Engagement isn’t just a feel-good concept — it’s a powerful driver of performance and profitability. Companies that actively engage their employees are the ones setting records and leading industries. Look at top-performing companies like Google, Salesforce, Apple, and Facebook. These organizations aren’t just successful; they are engaged. 

So what creates engagement? How can we turn this around? How can we move from a state of disconnection to one of profound engagement? The answer lies in the understanding that engagement is a powerful catalyst for leadership and personal growth. 

Here’s how you can harness this power:

Engage actively with content. When you engage with information — whether through asking questions, taking notes, or participating in discussions — you transform passive learning into active involvement. This not only enhances your understanding but also reinforces your commitment to applying what you’ve learned.

Increase engagement personally and professionally. Start by reflecting on how you engage with your work and relationships. Are you fully present? Are you contributing in ways that energize you and others? Seek out ways to deepen your involvement, whether through setting new goals, taking on challenges, or fostering stronger connections with those around you.

Address disengagement head-on. Disengaged employees can be detrimental to an organization, while actively disengaged employees can actively work against it. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to address disengagement with empathy and action. Create an environment where people feel valued, listened to, and motivated.

Harness engagement for leadership. True leadership is grounded in engagement. When you are genuinely engaged, you inspire others to do the same. You set a powerful example and create a culture of enthusiasm and commitment. Remember, leaders who fake engagement may temporarily fool others, but only authentic engagement leads to lasting influence and extraordinary leadership.

Mastery through repetition and emotion. Engagement isn’t just a strategy; it’s a state of being. The more you immerse yourself in what you’re passionate about, the more skilled and effective you’ll become. This requires repetition and connecting emotionally with your tasks and goals. Engage with your work and relationships on a deeper level and watch how mastery and success follow.

Create a state of excellence. The difference between dreamers and doers is the state they operate from. To achieve new results, you must shift your behaviors and mindset. This means moving from mere desire to proactive, engaged action. The state you’re in determines the results you get.

This principle isn’t confined to the corporate world. The same applies to your personal life. When you become more engaged, you inspire and elevate those around you. Engagement is infectious. If you want to ignite passion and drive in others, you must first be fully engaged yourself. You can’t expect to move others if you aren’t moved. You can’t touch others if you aren’t touched.

As a leader, your role is to maximize resources — whether they are people, technology, or finances. But here’s the kicker: You can’t maximize resources without full engagement. Your ability to get the most out of what you have depends entirely on your level of engagement. If you approach your role with genuine enthusiasm and commitment, you’ll not only enhance your own effectiveness but also elevate the performance of those around you.

Every room you walk into, every team you lead, every challenge you face — your engagement sets the tone. Good is the enemy of great. Mediocre engagement yields mediocre results. To be extraordinary, you must lead with exceptional engagement. When you engage fully, you don’t just perform well — you transform yourself into an extraordinary leader.

For 2025 the call to action is clear: Embrace the power of engagement in every aspect of your life. Whether you’re leading a team, running a business, or pursuing personal goals, your engagement will be the key driver of your success and prosperity. By fully engaging with your work, relationships, and personal growth, you unlock the potential for extraordinary results and transformation. Remember, engagement is not a passive state but a dynamic force that propels you toward greatness. Embrace it, live it, and let it guide you to new heights.