Focus Forward. Insights From The Top

The Leesman “Focus Forward” 2025 report provides a global snapshot of how organisations are adapting to hybrid work models and redefining the role of the office in a post-pandemic world. Drawing on insights from over 1.4 million workplace experience respondents across 122 countries, the study reveals that hybrid working has become the dominant model, with 97% of corporate real estate leaders reporting its adoption. While most employees now spend around three days a week in the office, the return-to-office strategies remain inconsistent and still under refinement—only 31% of leaders believe their current approach is fully effective.

One of the report’s key findings is the misalignment between what organisations believe the office should deliver and what employees actually need. Senior leaders cite collaboration, culture, and innovation as top priorities for maintaining office space, yet employees continue to prioritise individual focused work above all else. This gap underscores the need for clearer purpose-driven workplace strategies, known in the report as the “workplace why.” The Leesman data also highlights widespread dissatisfaction with core environmental factors—such as noise levels, temperature control, and ergonomic furniture—pointing to critical areas for improvement if companies wish to encourage office attendance and enhance employee satisfaction.

The report also details a sharp trend in real estate portfolio optimisation. While 74% of organisations have already reduced or plan to reduce their office footprint, the approach is becoming more strategic and quality-driven. Rather than abandoning physical offices altogether, companies are consolidating space and prioritising higher-quality environments that better support employee experience and business outcomes. Ultimately, the study concludes that success in the hybrid era hinges on deeply understanding employee needs, leveraging data to drive decisions, and aligning workspace design with a clearly defined organisational purpose.