New data from LeadDev shows 38% of engineering leaders report less motivated teams than a year ago. Only 21% describe their teams as healthy. 12% say they’re emotionally drained daily.

If you’re a founder or engineering leader reading those numbers and thinking “my team seems fine,” you might be six months behind reality.

I’m seeing this across my network right now. Good engineers going quiet in standups. High performers suddenly interviewing elsewhere. Teams that used to ship fast now dragging on simple tasks.