Empathy is the new currency of leadership.
The bosses who do well are more than just bosses. They understand and care about their people’s needs.
This article reveals modern leadership statistics to show how decision-makers can be more empathetic and better meet the challenges of today’s workplaces.
Top Leadership Statistics (Editor’s Picks)
We’ve handpicked 36+ of the latest statistics, facts, and trends about leadership. Here are 6 that we believe will blow you away.
| 1 | 79% of employees will quit after receiving inadequate appreciation from their managers |
| 2 | 83% of companies say developing leaders is crucial |
| 3 | 19% revenue boost for companies leading in gender equity |
| 4 | 63% of millennials believe they aren’t being fully developed as leaders by their employers |
| 5 | 10% of the people are natural leaders. A further 20% of the population has enough leadership abilities to become great leaders with guidance, training, and support |
| 6 | Only 1 in 5 CEOs are women |
Stats About the Effectiveness of Leadership
83% of companies recognize the importance of developing leaders at all levels (Gitnux)
Despite broad recognition of its importance, only 5% of businesses have fully implemented leadership development programs at every organizational level.
19% revenue boost for companies leading in gender equity (IBM)
Companies identified as leaders in gender equity outperform by achieving 19% higher revenue growth than their peers. Despite these results, a significant number of companies have yet to fully embrace the importance of incorporating top female talent for their growth strategies.
Nearly 70% of frontline leaders seek leadership skill development this year (Harvard Business)
Despite a strong motivation among employees to learn, with 49% wanting to advance their skills soon, companies are not fully meeting the developmental aspirations of their frontline leaders.
77% of organizations say there’s a shortage of good leaders (Apollo Technical)
A significant majority of organizations recognize a shortfall in leadership, a situation exacerbated by the retirement of 10,000 Baby Boomers daily.
55% of CEOs view developing next-generation leaders as their top challenge (Deloitte)
This concern is underscored by the fact that 63% of millennials feel their leadership potential is not being fully tapped by their employers for management roles.
58% of managers didn’t receive any management training (Career Builder)
A striking majority of managers admit to lacking formal training in leadership, often promoted based on personal performance rather than their ability to enhance team effectiveness. This revelation points to a widespread issue of untrained leaders within the workforce.
The leadership training market exceeds $85.81 billion globally (Fortune Business Insights)
In a recent study, worldwide investments in leadership training amounted to $85.81 billion, indicating a robust global emphasis on cultivating leadership capabilities.
Here’s a breakdown of the projected annual growth of the leadership training market:
| Year | Market Valuation Calculated Based on Forecasted CAGR |
| 2024 | $85.81 billion |
| 2025 | $94.47 billion |
| 2026 | $104.01 billion |
| 2027 | $114.51 billion |
| 2028 | $126.07 billion |
| 2029 | $138.79 billion |
| 2030 | $152.80 billion |
| 2031 | $168.22 billion |
| 2032 | $185.20 billion |
Only 41% of organizations are ready to effectively train leaders (Deloitte)
Less than half of all organizations are properly equipped to develop effective leaders, highlighting a significant gap in readiness for leadership training.
Leadership training improves learning by 25% and performance by 20% (Research Gate)
A study highlights that leadership training participants see a 20% increase in performance and a 25% enhancement in learning capacity, with programs focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical office applications.
Comprehensive training programs lead to 24% higher profit margins (Brimco)
Companies that prioritize extensive training programs report a 24% higher profit margin and a 218% increase in income per employee compared to those with less emphasis on employee development.
71% of hiring managers prioritize emotional intelligence over IQ when evaluating potential employees. (Harvard Business School)
A survey indicates that 34% of hiring managers are now prioritizing emotional intelligence more when making hiring and promotion decisions. Furthermore, 71% of these managers value EQ over IQ in their employees.
Emotional intelligence enhances leadership effectiveness by 40% (ACAP)
Leaders with strong empathy skills outperform their peers by over 40% in crucial leadership functions, including employee engagement, decision-making, and coaching, highlighting the critical role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership.
The Art of Listening | Simon Sinek
Women Leadership Statistics
Only 15% of Fortune 500 board members are women (Harvard Business Review)
This notably low representation of women on Fortune 500 boards prompts a deeper inquiry into the benefits of increasing female presence.
29% of senior leadership positions are held by women (Catalyst)
A global study by Catalyst shows a clear decline in the representation of women at higher corporate levels: from 47% in support roles to only 23% in executive positions across more than 1,100 organizations.
Only 8.2% of Fortune 500 companies are led by women (Fortune)
According to Fortune Magazine, women headed only 41 out of the top 500 firms, amounting to a mere 8.2%. Among these, just two are Black women, highlighting both a positive step towards diversity and the persistent leadership gap compared to male counterparts.
Women’s representation in senior management rises to 28% (Mckinsey)
Women’s representation in senior management increased from 23% to 28%, with their presence in the C-suite also growing from 17% to 21%, reflecting gradual progress in leadership diversity.
Female HR managers make up 72% of all managerial positions (Enterprise Apps Today)
While fewer leadership positions are available for women, they make up a more significant percentage of the workforce in specific sectors. Some examples include public relations, medical services, social services, and education.
Psychological Facts About Leadership
High-potential employees report a 27% increase in end-of-day exhaustion (Apollo Technical)
In a recent survey, 86% of high-potential workers expressed feeling exhausted by day’s end, an increase of 27% over the previous year, suggesting heightened stress in leadership tracks.
72% of senior leaders are experiencing burnout (HR Executive)
A survey of senior leaders indicates that an overwhelming 72% suffer from burnout, categorizing their experiences from “slightly” to “extremely,” signaling a critical issue in executive wellness.
35% identify their boss as a major source of stress (Korn Ferry)
According to a recent survey, 35% of employees report that their direct supervisor is the main source of their work-related stress. 80% feel that any leadership change notably impacts their stress.
Only 15% of leaders feel prepared to prevent employee burnout (DDI)
While addressing employee burnout is crucial, just 15% of leaders believe they are prepared to tackle this issue effectively. To improve, leaders require upskilling and training in key interpersonal behaviors during their interactions with teams.
76% report work stress negatively impacts relationships (Apollo Technical)
In a survey of 2,000 professionals, 76% found that work stress adversely affects their relationships. 66% report losing sleep, and 16% have quit their jobs as a direct result of stress.
60 to 80% of workplace accidents are stress-related (Eastern Kentucky University)
An infographic by Eastern Kentucky University emphasizes that between 60% and 80% of workplace accidents in the U.S. are caused by stress-induced distractions.
Jordan Peterson’s guide to leadership | Big Think
Workplace stress is responsible for $190 billion in U.S. healthcare costs (Enterprise App Today)
Workplace stress is responsible for $125 to $190 billion in U.S. healthcare costs annually, making up 5 to 8 percent of total health expenditures. The biggest contributors are high demands at work, lack of insurance coverage, and conflicts between work and family life.
Leadership Challenges and Failures Statistics
60% of executives fail within 18 months (Harvard Business Review)
Among newly promoted or hired senior executives, 61% report not being ready to handle the strategic challenges of their roles, a factor contributing to the 50%-60% failure rate within their first 18 months on the job.
60% of poorly executing companies do not link strategies to budgets (Boardview)
Surprisingly, 60% of organizations do not connect their financial planning with strategic priorities. Additionally, compensation packages for 70% of middle managers and over 90% of frontline employees are not tied to the outcomes of strategy implementation, indicating a misalignment in incentives.
33% of HR representatives believe there will be a significant increase in the need to develop internal talent (DDI)
As companies struggle with a shrinking labor market and lean internal talent pools, 33% of HR professionals report that there will be a significant need to enhance internal talent development efforts to cultivate leadership.
Organizational Impact and Importance of Leadership Statistics
78% of business leaders want to enhance employee engagement (Go Remotely)
To create a more stable workplace, 78% of business leaders are exploring new methods to engage with their employees. These strategies range from regular short meetings and team-building activities to more personal one-on-one engagements, coupled with implementing open-door policies.
Employers who are engaged with their employees are 22% more profitable (Enterprise App Today)
Enhancing employee engagement within a supportive culture reduces job hunting by 22% among satisfied workers and boosts customer satisfaction, which is directly linked to increased revenue, underscoring the dual benefits of fostering a strong workplace culture.
Doubling engaged employees leads to 147% higher earnings per share (Gallup)
Companies that successfully increase the number of talented managers and double their rate of employee engagement see a substantial financial benefit, achieving 147% higher earnings per share compared to their competitors.
Employee disengagement leads to 37% higher absenteeism, 49% more accidents, and 60% more errors at work (Enterprise App Today)
Disengaged workers not only contribute to a 37% increase in absenteeism but also lead to a 49% rise in accidents and a 60% increase in errors, indicating major challenges for workplace management and safety.
35% of U.S. employees prioritize company culture when job hunting (Enterprise App Today)
A significant 35% of employees in the U.S. place company culture at the forefront of their job search priorities. Additionally, one-third would decline their perfect job if the cultural fit did not meet their expectations, highlighting the importance of aligning company culture with employee values.
Remote Work and Leadership Statistics
63% of leadership professionals believe remote and hybrid work has had a high to very high impact on leadership effectiveness (Training Magazine)
A significant majority, 63%, of respondents believe that the shift to remote and hybrid work environments has a high to very high impact on leadership effectiveness, reflecting the profound influence these work models have on leadership dynamics.
36% of companies operate entirely remotely (DDI)
A recent survey reveals that 36% of companies are fully remote, 28% utilize a hybrid model, and the remaining 36% operate entirely from an office setting, showcasing the diverse work environments adopted by businesses today.
Only 27% of leaders are effective at leading hybrid or virtual teams (DDI)
Despite the growing prevalence of hybrid and virtual teams, only 27% of leaders believe they are very effective in these settings, underscoring the urgent need for improved training and support in virtual leadership skills.
Remote workers are 22% more likely to trust senior leaders compared to in-office employees (DDI)
Research indicates that leaders who work remotely are 22% more likely to trust their senior managers, a factor crucial for driving innovation. Additionally, 53% of these remote leaders strive to exceed job expectations, compared to only 41% of their in-person counterparts.
Conclusion
Good leadership goes far beyond basic management. 79% of employees quit due to feeling undervalued, and 77% of companies lack strong leaders.
Leadership isn’t just important. It’s essential for modern business success, helping to boost engagement, nurture future leaders, and build emotionally intelligent teams.
