New Highspring Report: Agility is the Critical Differentiator For High-Performing Organizations

According to Highspring's inaugural Agility Index Report, companies with high agility are 2x more likely to report revenue growth and 4x more likely to align strategy across talent, tech, and execution

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Companies that succeed today won't succeed tomorrow without prioritizing agility, according to new research from Highspring. The inaugural Agility Index Report shows that agile companies are 2x more likely to report revenue growth—and 4x more likely to align talent, tech, and execution.

Amid mounting regulatory pressures, escalating geopolitical tensions, accelerated AI adoption and intensifying competition for talent and emerging skills, organizations are under pressure to adapt faster than ever. In response, Highspring surveyed over 500 business leaders across talent, consulting, and managed services functions to better understand what enables organizations to thrive in constant change. Highspring's 2025 Agility Index Report reveals that 97% of high-agility organizations achieved positive revenue growth in Q1 2025—more than double the 46% of low-agility organizations—underscoring that agility is no longer an option, but a fundamental driver of long-term success amid today's fast-changing landscape.    

Roadblocks to Agility
Highspring defines "organizational agility" as strategic alignment between people, processes and platforms—an approach that sets high-performing companies apart. Agility isn't just a cultural or operational idea but a measurable competitive advantage. Highspring's research found an agility deficit in several key areas, including:

• Siloed Departments: 70% of organizations have siloed departments, a major barrier to agility, slowing decisions and hindering coordination when it matters most. 74% of organizations reported a siloed executive leadership team, followed closely behind by 71% of organizations stating they have a siloed Human Resources department.
• Talent Deployment Gaps: Only 45% of organizations feel confident in identifying and deploying the right talent for emerging challenges – such as standing up new revenue streams, launching AI-driven tools or responding to competitive threats. These gaps leave organizations exposed, slowing innovation and dragging down performance.
• Lack of Leadership Alignment: Only 30% of leadership teams are described as aligned and responsive, with this figure dropping to 18% for large enterprises. Without strategic cohesion at the top, even well-resourced organizations struggle to adapt with speed or clarity.

"Agility isn't just about adapting to change; it's a measurable force impacting revenue, employee engagement, and company resilience," said Brian Waller, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Highspring. "Organizations with high levels of agility are not just surviving — they are thriving, outperforming their competitors, and capitalizing on opportunities in an uncertain world."

What Sets Agile Organizations Apart?
From the research, Highspring developed the Agility Index, a proprietary framework that quantifies how well an organization can adapt, align, and act in moments of change. This index measures three key areas:

• Operational agility: How quickly teams can respond, reallocate and execute
• Talent agility and retention strategy: How effectively organizations find, develop, and deploy the right people 
• Innovation culture: How often systems are updated, silos are broken, and ideas move.    

Organizations with high Agility Index scores aren't just prepared – they're outperforming:      

• Strategic Alignment: High-agility organizations are 4 times more likely to achieve alignment in talent, execution, and technology.
• Resilience During Challenges: 31% of high-agility organizations experienced layoffs over the past two years, compared to 51% of less agile organizations.
• Workplace Optimism: 98% of employees and leaders in high-agility organizations feel optimistic about their future, compared to 42% and 49%, respectively, in organizations with lower agility. 

Translating Agility into Practice
The report provides a clear path forward for organizations looking to integrate agility into their culture:

• Fostering Leadership Cohesion: Break down silos by bringing leadership together to make faster, more unified decisions—such as through cross-functional strategy sessions or agile decision-making frameworks.
• Enhancing Skill Alignment: Create systems that quickly identify and redeploy talent as business needs shift, for example, by leveraging internal talent marketplaces or dynamic reskilling programs.
• Implementing Adaptable Systems: Invest in technology and workflows—like modular platforms or cloud-based solutions—designed to scale and shift with changing priorities.

About Highspring's Agility Index Report
The inaugural Agility Index Report provides deep insights into how agile organizations of all sizes are uniquely equipped to navigate change. Based on research conducted by Highspring in the spring of 2025, the study included 517 total respondents from North America, including 366 Americans and 151 Canadians surveyed. Respondents had decision-making responsibility for investments in talent, consulting, and managed services.

To access the full Agility Index Report, visit: https://www.highspring.com/agility-index-signup/.

About Highspring
Highspring is a leading global professional services organization with three integrated offerings—Consulting, Managed Services, and Talent Solutions. Vaco by Highspring specializes in delivering tailored Talent Solutions. Our expertise includes Accounting and Finance, Business and Digital Transformation, Risk and Compliance, Information Technology, and more. With more than 10,000 employees across 45+ offices worldwide, we give partners the agility to thrive, address challenges, and seize opportunities in a rapidly changing world. Get to know us at highspring.com.

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SOURCE Highspring