Leadership is changing faster than ever. The data I heard in last week’s CPHR + SuccessFinder webinar confirmed exactly why so many leaders feel stretched thin.
SuccessFinder’s 2025 State of Leadership Report, based on 17,000+ leadership assessments, paints a powerful and urgent picture of what organizations need most from leaders today.
It also confirmed what I see daily in my coaching practice.
Leadership is Under Pressure
According to Capterra 2024, 71% of middle managers feel overwhelmed, stressed, or burned out, with rates climbing even higher among younger managers and those in hybrid environments.
And when you look at the macro trends shaping leadership, it makes sense:
1️⃣ Tech acceleration: AI, automation, and digital transformation require leaders to be data-literate, adaptable, and innovative.
2️⃣ Economic uncertainty: Leaders are making faster decisions under greater ambiguity.
3️⃣ Human-centric leadership: Employees now expect empathy, psychological safety, and a sense of purpose.
The old command-and-control model is dead. Today’s leaders must connect and inspire ❤️
The Skills Companies Want Most
Across industries, SuccessFinder found the most in-demand leadership traits for 2025:
✅Leadership
✅ Flexibility
✅ Empathy
✅ Fraternity (collaboration)
✅ Self-Expression
✅ Analysis
✅ Determination
✅ Efficiency
✅ Stress Tolerance
Here’s the problem: many leaders are missing key skills
The report highlights two massive gaps:
- Only 18% of leaders score high in Stress Tolerance
- Only 31% score high in Flexibility
This mirrors what I see in coaching:
- Leaders who avoid tough conversations
- High achievers who crumble under pressure
- Brilliant women leaders who minimize their strengths
- Managers who struggle to adapt to constant change
It’s not that they’re incapable. It’s that nobody taught them the skills.
Soft Skills = Hard Results
One of the most striking findings: EQ-based traits like empathy, flexibility, and influential communication are just as important as technical capability.
Many industries, even tech and engineering, now rank these skills as mission-critical.
This is exactly where coaching comes in. Leadership development must be personalized, grounded in data, and tied to real behaviors, not generic training.
A New Way Forward
We need leaders who can:
- Regulate their emotions under pressure
- Communicate clearly and courageously
- Set boundaries and avoid burnout
- Inspire trust
- Adapt quickly
- Lead with empathy
This is what I help leaders build through science-based coaching, emotional intelligence training, and practical tools that translate directly to better performance.
Want to strengthen these skills? Join me.
On Saturday, November 29, I’m co-facilitating Own Your Voice for Authentic Leadership, a transformational 4-hour workshop in downtown Vancouver.
🔥 Build presence
🔥 Strengthen emotional balance
🔥 Reduce negative self-talk
🔥 Lead with courage and clarity
Let’s build the leaders the future demands.
Lots of love,
-Anna
