Companies need leaders. Here’s how to stand out

Companies are facing a new challenge: a lack of employees willing to take on leadership roles. According to a DDI report, 75% of companies prioritize promoting from within, but less than 20% of Chief Human Resource Officers say they have employees ready to fill critical leadership roles. The report also found that Gen Z is more likely to reject leadership roles and quit jobs due to poor leadership. This creates an opportunity for those who want to be leaders, but companies need to create a strong leadership pipeline by providing adequate coaching and identifying potential leaders early on. Employee expectations have evolved, and young employees are pushing back against micromanagement and overworking, instead seeking a better work-life balance. To stand out as a leader, employees should cultivate soft skills like communication and interpersonal skills, humility, and the ability to adapt to change and work with AI. Companies can build resilience by using people analytics to forecast needs and build their bench of future leaders. The best leaders will be those who can adapt to change, motivate others, and explore new opportunities.