A new report, Adaptive Leaders, Culture & Strategy, from the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) has discovered that half of the business leaders surveyed are not prepared to drive the change needed for post-pandemic success. The survey polled 1000 C-level executives globally to better understand business leaders’ thoughts on critical issues and how they are preparing for the post-pandemic business environment.
The report highlighted that half of executives believe that their organisation is not ready to lead change in areas such as DEI, sustainability or digital transformation. Though DEI has become a top priority amongst business leaders, sustainability remains off the radar, especially in the Americas. Additionally, four in ten executives from underrepresented demographics also reported as more likely to believe that trust in leadership has declined compared to two in ten overall.
Executives reported that their most pressing issues included: upskilling executive competencies for a new world of work, emphasising diversity, equity and inclusion, driving ESG initiatives and leading digital transformation in the wake of COVID-19.
The report makes certain that what has worked for businesses in the past before the pandemic will no longer work going forward. As the business climate changes at an accelerating speed, organisations and their leaders must be able to change course quickly and seamlessly.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
