'Without clarity of visibility from leaders, change fatigue presents a risk to businesses in the shape of lost productivity and engagement'
Change fatigue has emerged as one of the top challenges to success in 2025 amid the lack of direction and communication from leadership, according to a new survey among HR leaders.
The poll, released by Gallagher, saw change fatigue making its way to the top five for the first time after being cited by 44% of HR leaders.
In fact, the report found that 55% of HR leaders noted that change management is one of the top critical skills and competencies needed by organisations this year.
The emergence of change fatigue as a barrier comes amid communication challenges from those at the top, according to the report.
More than a third of the respondents cited poor leadership communication (38%) and lack of clear direction from the top (39%) as other barriers to organisational success.
The report stressed that employees are tired of "endless change" and leadership visibility is important to maintain engagement and productivity amid workplace transformation.
"Without clarity of visibility from leaders, change fatigue presents a risk to businesses in the shape of lost productivity and engagement during times of transformation," the report read.
To address these barriers at work, improving manager communication and boosting leadership visibility rose to the top of HR leaders' priorities in 2025.
Improving manager communication rose to the second spot for priorities, up from fourth place last year, while boosting leadership visibility remained third on the priority list.
"Right now, companies across the globe are managing delicate external challenges, all of which require agile and flexible communication," said William Ziebell, CEO of Gallagher's Benefits & HR Consulting Division, in a statement.
"It's vital that the C-Suite sets clear direction for communications teams to guide the company through challenging situations."
