Culture Top Factor for Increasing Satisfaction; Lack of Growth Opportunities Top Frustration

LOS ANGELES, February 12, 2016 - The Korn Ferry division of Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY), the preeminent global people and organizational advisory firm, today revealed the results of a workplace satisfaction survey showing the top reasons executives “love their job.” At the top of the list is “workplace relationships with co-workers and clients” (47 percent), followed by “company culture/values”
(21 percent) and “growth opportunities” (18 percent). Pay/compensation came in last at 4 percent.

The Korn Ferry executive survey finds that by far, the top job frustration is “lack of growth opportunities” (61 percent), followed by “relationship with management” (15 percent) and “not fitting into the company culture/values” (12 percent). Again, pay came in toward the bottom at 8 percent.

The factor that would most dramatically improve executives’ feelings about their job, according to 69 percent of those surveyed, is working for “a company whose culture is aligned with my values.” That is a dramatic increase from the results of last year’s survey that asked the same question, where 47 percent said culture was king.

“Today more than ever, employees need to be inspired by and proud of their organization’s culture and vision,” said Korn Ferry Senior Partner Dave Eaton. “Leaders who focus on creating an open, honest, participatory culture will have the best chance of keeping high-performing employees on the job and engaged, especially during times of change.”

To learn more about how the right culture can positively impact an organization and to get tips for enhancing culture, review Part 3 in the Korn Ferry Real World Leadership Series, Engaging Culture for Greater Impact.

About the survey

Korn Ferry fielded the survey during the second week of February 2016. There were nearly 600 responses. Survey Results:

Q: What do you love about your job?

Relationship with co-workers/clients     47%
Company culture/values     21%
Growth opportunities     18%
Relationship with management/employer     6%
Competitive pay/compensation     4%
I do not like my job     4%

Q: What is your greatest frustration on the job?

Lack of growth opportunities     61%
Relationship with management/employer     15%
I don't fit into the company culture/values     12%
Low pay/compensation     8%
Relationship with co-workers/clients     4%

Q: What factor would most dramatically improve your feelings about your job?

Working for a company whose culture is aligned with my values     69%
Clear advancement opportunities     14%
More equitable compensation     8%
I already love my job     4%
Better development programs     3%
An employer that offers more constructive feedback     2%

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is the preeminent global people and organizational advisory firm. We help leaders, organizations, and societies succeed by releasing the full power and potential of people. Our nearly 7,000 colleagues deliver services through our Executive Search, Korn Ferry and Korn Ferry divisions.