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Ambition is more than climbing the career ladder and talent’s motivation is not necessarily driven by promotions. For nearly two-thirds of respondents (60%), their personal lives are more important than their work lives. Work-life balance now ranks as highly as pay on workers’ lists of priorities (93%) — more than any other considerations. When looking at their next career move, work-life balance is even more important (57%) than higher pay (55%). Over a third don’t want career progression because they are happy in their role (39%), and the long-term ambition for most respondents is a stable in-house role. But that does not stop them from wanting to future-proof their skills through training (72%), especially in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and IT, which are reshaping job roles. Employers' talent strategies will need to acknowledge these changing priorities and offer more creative paths to progression that align with the different ambitions of their talent.

The importance of work-life balance is also reflected in a continued focus on flexible working, even as employers are increasingly advocating a return to the office. Many workers adjusted to the work-from-home lifestyle over the pandemic years — moving further afield or getting a pet — as they expected remote working to stay. Working from home is non-negotiable for close to 2 in 5 respondents. Similar numbers (37%) would consider quitting if they were forced to spend more time in the office. However, there is a nuance when it comes to making their next career move: wanting flexible working hours edges slightly ahead of the need to work from home (41% vs. 37%).

Talent is looking to build connections with employers so that they can present their full selves and work with organizations to improve equity in the workplace. Over a third say that they wouldn’t accept a job if they did not agree with the views of the organization’s leadership (38%), with 54% of respondents considering their employer’s stance and actions on social and political issues important. Meanwhile, almost two-fifths (38%) seek alignment on social and environmental issues with a future employer. 

Talent continues to prioritize the future-proofing of their skills, particularly in light of the widespread adoption of AI. Despite more complex attitudes to career progression and ambition, there is a continued thirst for training and development in both current roles and for future career moves (72%). Around a third (29%) would even go as far as quitting a job that didn’t offer adequate learning and development (L&D) opportunities. Respondents see the responsibility for training and development residing with both them and their employers, again underlining the connection theme that runs through the entire survey.