Looking at the 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, it’s pretty clear that strong HR practices play a huge role in what makes a company a genuinely good place to work. After reading employee feedback from Hilton, Synchrony, Cisco, and American Express, the top 4 in the list, this is what I’ve seen.
At 1st place in the list, at Hilton employees talk a lot about teamwork, diversity, and feeling welcomed. 95% of employees say it’s a great place to work, they are proving that creating an inclusive and supportive environment matters. Synchrony stood out for its flexibility and benefits, especially options like work from home and flexible schedules. Employees seem to genuinely appreciate having their lives outside of work respected, which likely plays a big role in job satisfaction. It is important to have those work-life balances and they are getting that there.
Cisco really stood out to me because of how much emphasis employees place on mental health, trust, and being able to bring their full selves to work. People feel supported taking time off when they need it, which makes the workplace feel more human. American Express also focuses heavily on employee well-being and growth, offering strong benefits, career development opportunities, and a culture where employees feel supported by leadership.
I find this topic especially interesting to reflect on as someone who is about to graduate as well as someone already in a management role and actively trying to implement some of these same ideas. I try to prioritize communication, flexibility, and support while still making sure work gets done. At the same time, I’m still navigating what kind of manager I want to be and learning through experience. Seeing how these companies support their employees reinforces that leadership isn’t always about having everything figured out, it’s about continuously improving, listening, and adjusting as you grow. I want to be a manager who supports employees as people, not just workers. These companies show that when people feel supported, strong performance naturally follows.
