The World Flourishing Organization (WFO), in partnership with Harvard University, Baylor University, and Gallup, has announced the unveiling of the first-year results from the Global Flourishing Study-the largest and most rigorous research effort of its kind-at Gallup Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on April 30, 2025. The event responds to alarming new data showing global employee engagement has dropped for the second consecutive year, highlighting urgent challenges in workplace motivation and productivity. The WFO is introducing "flourishing" as a new, science-backed benchmark for human performance, aiming to help organizations move beyond traditional engagement metrics. Key initiatives include the F-Org™ Trustmark for recognizing flourishing organizations, the Work Flourishing Index for rapid workplace assessment, a Flourishing Bootcamp for leadership development, and a Flourishing Blueprint program for executives. These tools are designed to make flourishing practical, measurable, and scalable, offering both individual and organizational insights. Flourishing is defined as a multi-dimensional state encompassing happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial stability. The WFO's mission is to enable 1 billion people to flourish by 2035, positioning flourishing as essential for both individual well-being and organizational success. The Global Flourishing Study, led by Harvard, Baylor, and Gallup, is tracking 240,000 people across 22 countries over five years to provide unprecedented insights into what drives human flourishing worldwide.
WASHINGTON, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As burnout rises, disengagement spreads, and organizations struggle to deliver real human value, the World Flourishing Organization (WFO) introduces a bold new benchmark: flourishing as the future of human performance. On April 30, Gallup HQ will unveil the first-year results of the Global Flourishing Study, the largest and most rigorous research effort of its kind.
Backed by Harvard University and Baylor University, this event marks a historic moment where science meets strategy, and the future of work re-begins. WFO CEO Eleanor Allen will join Professors Tyler VanderWeele, Byron Johnson, and Matt Lee to explore how flourishing is being activated at scale, from research labs to leadership teams, and from global policy to workplace culture.
"Our goal is to make flourishing practical, measurable, and scalable — so every organization, no matter where they start, can unlock the full potential of their people and achieve peak performance." said Eleanor Allen, CEO of the WFO
In 16 years of Gallup's global study, engagement has never dropped twice in a row — until now. In 2024, it fell to 21%, down from 23%, triggering an estimated $438 billion in lost productivity. Europe and MENA remain at the bottom with 13% and 14% engagement. This back-to-back drop is an alarm to action. Business as usual won't fix it. A new standard is needed — one built on flourishing.
WFO, with Harvard, Baylor, and SHAPE Global, offers a science-backed, action-driven path forward:
• F-Org™ Trustmark – Global recognition for organizations designing the best journeys for their people.
• Work Flourishing Index – A rapid 14-question diagnostic adapted from the global research to assess workplace flourishing.
• Flourishing Bootcamp – An online individual leadership experience to build flourishing-first organizations.
• Flourishing Blueprint – A six-month transformation program for executives to elevate their organization's potential.
WFO also supports the rollout of Harvard's 12-question flourishing measure, offering personal reports for employees and organizational data to guide decisions. Participating organizations are recognized as Rising F-Orgs™.
"Flourishing is serious business. It's an asset on your balance sheet. It warrants focus and attention from the board and management committees."
— Gordon Watson, Chair, WFO
Why Flourishing? Why Now?
Flourishing is a multi-dimensional state of human strength, encompassing happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial stability. It bridges what matters to people with what drives organizational success.
This event is a call to action. Join our mission to elevate 1 billion people to flourish by 2035.
About the World Flourishing Organization
The World Flourishing Organization (WFO) is a global platform redefining great work. Co-developed with leading academic institutions and powered by science, the WFO helps organizations measure, activate, and scale flourishing to unlock performance, retention, and resilience.
About the Global Flourishing Study
Led by Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program, Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion, and Gallup, the Global Flourishing Study tracks 240,000 people across 22 countries over five years, providing unprecedented insights into human flourishing worldwide.
Learn more: worldflourishing.org | globalflourishingstudy.com
Media Contact:
Karen Seymour, Chief Impact Officer, [email protected]
Media Contact
Karen Seymour, The World Flourishing Organization, 1 5104970510, [email protected], https://worldflourishing.org/
Eleanor Allen, The World Flourishing Organization, 1 3038082515, [email protected], https://worldflourishing.org/
SOURCE The World Flourishing Organization
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