Leaders face unprecedented demands as COVID-19, social movements, and economic uncertainty reshape the business landscape. This report, based on insights from over 500 global leaders and employees across 200 organisations, explores what it takes to lead effectively through profound changes.

The central challenge is clear: leaders must balance emotional support with strategic action, all while managing their own wellbeing in an increasingly volatile world.

Organisations face four urgent leadership challenges:

• Burnout Epidemic: Leaders are exhausted from carrying unprecedented responsibilities

• Low Diversity in Leadership: Homogeneous leadership teams lack the resilience needed for complex challenges

• Overburdened Leaders: Expected to manage crisis response while maintaining normal operations

• Authenticity Gaps: Limited incentives exist for leaders to develop genuine self-awareness and values

When asked about their biggest challenge, 48% of organisations cited overburdened leaders, while 38% identified burnout as their primary concern.

Leaders must guide their organisations through a three-phase journey: Acknowledge the emotional impact of change, Act by building compelling narratives, and Advance by co-creating the future with employees.