ADP Research Institute surveyed over 25,000 employees across the globe from 25 countries to understand Engagement, Resilience, and the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace in 2020. The study of Engagement takes on new dimensions and new importance during a time of greatly enhanced global stress such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

This finding has profound implications for leaders. If it is true that we demonstrate more Workplace Resilience the more “up close and personal” we get to the reality of COVID-19, we can conclude that sugar-coating or whitewashing that reality is not helpful for anyone. People need facts, not blithe reassurance. Personal experience of the reality of the problem seems to help build resilience, to help people overcome fear and access their capacity. Their wellbeing is preserved, not diminished, when they can see the reality of the situation and respond to it, rather than when it is hidden from them or unknown.