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U.S. worker engagement has stagnated for decades, with more than two-thirds of workers feeling detached or disengaged from work. To reverse the trend, many executives have strived to build an “ownership culture,” hoping personal responsibility will drive productivity. Yet most omit the most vital ingredient, actual ownership. We spent the past four years studying companies that committed to this missing piece, extending equity to all employees. While broad-based ownership isn’t new, a recent surge led by private equity has made it a potent economic force. Since 2022, more than $1.3 billion has been distributed to 41,000 non-executive employees, with projections exceeding $20 billion in the coming decade.
