Signal 64% see linking individual to organizational goals as the key performance lever

Summary

McKinsey's 2026 survey finds that 64 percent of respondents see the link between individual and organizational goals as the key to lifting performance. Earlier McKinsey research supports this, with 72 percent of employees naming goal setting as a strong motivator. Ongoing feedback also matters, since employees who had regular development conversations were far more likely to feel motivated than those who did not. Yet manager capability is a weak spot, as nearly a quarter of employees say their managers lack the skills to run effective performance reviews. The finding points toward goal alignment and better-equipped managers as practical levers for performance.