C-Suite Reveals Whether Workers Or Investors Come First

Key Concepts

• Employee Well-being: Prioritization of physical, mental, and financial health of employees by leadership.
• CXO Growth Survey: Forbes Research’s annual survey of C-suite executives in large organizations.
• Shareholder Primacy vs. Stakeholder Model: The debate over whether a company’s primary duty is to maximize shareholder value or to consider the interests of all stakeholders, including employees.
• Meaningful Work: The importance of job satisfaction and purpose in employee engagement.
• Return to Office (RTO): The trend of companies requiring employees to return to in-person work.

Prioritization of Employee Well-being Over Shareholder Needs

The 2025 Forbes CXO Growth Survey reveals a significant shift in leadership perspective: a substantial majority – 84% – of seauite executives now believe an employer’s primary duty is to ensure the physical, mental, and financial wellness of their employees. This represents a move away from the traditional focus on shareholder primacy, the idea that a corporation’s main responsibility is to maximize profits for its shareholders. The survey encompassed seauite executives leading organizations with revenues exceeding $1 billion.

This sentiment isn’t static; it’s demonstrably strengthening. The survey data indicates a 15-point year-over-year increase in the percentage of leaders prioritizing employee well-being as the foremost obligation. This suggests a growing recognition of the link between employee health and organizational success.

The Importance of Meaningful Work

Beyond basic wellness, companies are recognizing the importance of intrinsic motivation. Nearly two-thirds of leaders surveyed believe that meaningful work will be the most critical factor in ensuring employee happiness and engagement. This surpasses even the importance placed on higher salaries, indicating a desire among employees for purpose and fulfillment in their roles. This highlights a shift towards a more holistic view of employee satisfaction, recognizing that compensation is not the sole driver of engagement.

The Reversal of Flexible Work Trends

Despite the widespread adoption of flexible working patterns following the COVID-19 pandemic (“post-co”), a significant return to traditional work arrangements is anticipated. 68% of leaders expect that, by the end of the year, the majority of their workforce will be back in the office full-time or on the road. This suggests a perceived need for increased collaboration, oversight, or a return to established company culture, despite the demonstrated benefits of remote work for many employees. This expectation represents a potential challenge to employee preferences for flexibility established during the pandemic.

Data & Methodology

The findings are based on the 2025 CXO Growth Survey conducted by Forbes Research. The survey targeted seauite executives – a term referring to top-level executives, such as CEOs, CFOs, and COOs – within organizations generating over $1 billion in annual revenue. The data provides a snapshot of current leadership thinking regarding employee well-being, engagement, and work arrangements.

Conclusion

The Forbes Research data reveals a clear trend: a growing prioritization of employee well-being by seauite leaders, surpassing traditional shareholder-focused approaches. While meaningful work is recognized as a key driver of engagement, the anticipated return to office arrangements suggests a potential tension between leadership expectations and evolving employee preferences for flexibility. These findings offer valuable insights for organizations seeking to attract, retain, and motivate their workforce in a rapidly changing business landscape.