Signal Career progression (47%) and incentives (43%) top the barriers to a high-performance culture

Summary

McKinsey's 2026 survey asks leaders what stands in the way of a holistic high-performance culture. Limited opportunities for career progression top the list at 47 percent, followed by a lack of targeted incentives at 43 percent. Disengaged employees and rigid performance-management systems are each cited by 38 percent. The report observes that many organizations either chase performance while neglecting people development or build talent without turning it into financial results. Traditional systems that look backward at past outcomes and cannot keep up with shifting priorities are singled out as a drag on growth and skill development.