‘Making a Difference in How Business is Done’ Strongest Driver for Future Leaders

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29, 2019 – According to new research by Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY), European CEOs believe that a greater focus on ethical, people-oriented leadership will be the new norm by 2025.

In the survey of 163 CEOs in Europe, 94 percent say the CEO role will have a greater emphasis on moral/ethical leadership by 2025. In addition, 95 percent say that CEOs will shift from a single focus of profit to include greater emphasis on people and “planet.”

“CEOs realize that the business world cannot be guided by profits alone at the expense of ethics, fair treatment of people and environmental stewardship,” said Korn Ferry Senior Client Partner Marie-Osmonde Le Roy de Lanauze-Molines. “It is increasingly critical that leaders guide with transparency and a focus on the greater good.”

The CEO survey found that today’s leaders feel that the biggest driver emerging leaders need to succeed is the drive to make a difference in how business is done.

The surveyed CEOs also indicate technological forces will have the greatest impact on how they do business in the coming years, followed by economic and political forces. When asked about their largest obstacle to obtaining their vision in the future, the CEOs cite a shortage of qualified talent.

Having a sense of mission and purpose is the most important factor to a CEO’s future success, according to the survey, followed by agility/openness to change and a strong values set.

“There is no doubt that the business world of 2025 will be quite different from today, and it’s a positive sign that today’s European CEOs are seeing a shift to a broader view of what success will look like in the future,” said Le Roy de Lanauze-Molines.

About the Survey

In August and September 2019, Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) conducted the survey of 163 CEOs of both private and public companies across sectors in different European countries. The survey examined the characteristics and success factors these CEOs thought to be of importance for the next generation of CEOs in 2025. Due to rounding, responses may not equal 100 percent.

Survey results

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We work with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. And, we help professionals navigate and advance their careers.