In most industries, the last 25 years have been marked by an almost breathless obsession with the customer—how to acquire them, how to keep them, and how to maximize their lifetime value. The next 25 years will be similarly consumed by the employee—how to acquire them, how to keep them, and how to maximize the value they contribute to a business.

That value is measured in more than numbers— it’s measured in impact. When organizations demonstrate that they don’t understand or empathize with their employees, they’re met with dramatic consequences. Burned out workers whose productivity and well-being suffers. Resignations that total millions in replacement costs. Public criticism of a brand’s employment policies leading to poor PR and drops in revenue.