Trend for the second half: Technology gains relevance among management challenges, highlights Robert Half

Technology has advanced from 7th to 4th place among the top concerns of managers in the second half of 2025, according to the Robert Half Confidence Index (ICRH). This movement shows that the ability to understand technological advancements and apply them strategically is seen as a driver of competitiveness. Alongside profitability (42%), talent retention (41%), and productivity (41%), the intelligent use of technology is likely to be at the center of business leadership decisions in the coming months.

The survey, which gathered input from decision-makers at companies of various sizes and sectors across Brazil, shows a reorganization of priorities in the second half of the year without losing focus on the structural aspects of people management. Attracting professionals, for example, remains among the top 10 challenges, reaffirming its relevance—even if temporarily scaled back due to other pressures in the business environment.

“Managers who can engage teams and prioritize the right initiatives become key players in the success of companies. The combination of a focus on results, talent recognition, and intelligent use of technology is decisive in consistently achieving goals,” evaluates Maria Sartori, Market Director at Robert Half.

The increasing appreciation of technology among business leaders reinforces the need to stay updated in the face of constant transformations, such as process automation, the use of artificial intelligence, and new productivity tools. The trend points to a market where technology and human talent go hand in hand, with a direct impact on organizational performance.

The top 10 concerns of managers for the second half of 2025, according to ICRH:

1. Profitability: generating more value while spending less (42%)
2. Retention: not losing top talent to the market (41%)
3. Productivity: fulfilling responsibilities more efficiently (41%)
4. Technology: understanding advancements and leveraging them strategically (30%)
5. Compensation: maintaining competitive salaries and benefits (29%)
6. Well-being: promoting mental health and quality of life (26%)
7. Career: developing and offering growth opportunities (24%)
8. Attraction: attracting the right professionals for the company (20%)
9. Market insights: political and economic impacts on business (13%)
10. Work models: adapting and evolving the adopted model (11%)