The Gap
The supply of developed leaders is failing.
44%
of managers worldwide have ever received any management training; roughly 60% of frontline managers get none at all (Gallup, 2026).
of managers worldwide have ever received any management training; roughly 60% of frontline managers get none at all (Gallup, 2026).
74%
of companies name strategic thinking the biggest middle-management gap, and only 12% of emerging leaders show high conflict proficiency (DDI, 2025).
of companies name strategic thinking the biggest middle-management gap, and only 12% of emerging leaders show high conflict proficiency (DDI, 2025).
20%
of HR leaders report ready successors for critical roles — while managerial roles grow 9% through 2030 (DDI, 2025; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
of HR leaders report ready successors for critical roles — while managerial roles grow 9% through 2030 (DDI, 2025; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
The Cost
Leadership neglect is now priced.
$10T
lost productivity from low global engagement, around 9% of world GDP; managers drive roughly 70% of team engagement variance (Gallup, 2026).
lost productivity from low global engagement, around 9% of world GDP; managers drive roughly 70% of team engagement variance (Gallup, 2026).
29%
trust in immediate managers, down more than a third since 2022 (DDI, 2025).
trust in immediate managers, down more than a third since 2022 (DDI, 2025).
3.7×
more likely to leave — top talent without growth opportunities. Learning is the number one retention strategy (DDI, 2025; LinkedIn, 2025).
more likely to leave — top talent without growth opportunities. Learning is the number one retention strategy (DDI, 2025; LinkedIn, 2025).
The Change
AI is resetting what leaders must know.
39%
of core skills change by 2030; 85% of major employers are prioritizing upskilling (World Economic Forum, 2025).
of core skills change by 2030; 85% of major employers are prioritizing upskilling (World Economic Forum, 2025).
92% vs 1%
of companies raising AI investment, against leaders who call deployment mature (McKinsey, 2025).
of companies raising AI investment, against leaders who call deployment mature (McKinsey, 2025).
16%
relative decline in early-career employment in AI-exposed occupations, with those jobs 7× more likely to demand senior skills. The apprenticeship rung is breaking (Stanford, 2025).
relative decline in early-career employment in AI-exposed occupations, with those jobs 7× more likely to demand senior skills. The apprenticeship rung is breaking (Stanford, 2025).
The Human Premium
What machines cannot master now differentiates.
EQ #1
Emotional intelligence ranks first among 2026 leadership skills; 90% of top performers show high EQ (TalentSmart).
Emotional intelligence ranks first among 2026 leadership skills; 90% of top performers show high EQ (TalentSmart).
60%
of employers value durable human skills more than they did five years ago — ethical reasoning, communication, influence, adaptability, decision-making under uncertainty, team development, AI literacy (GMAC, 2025).
of employers value durable human skills more than they did five years ago — ethical reasoning, communication, influence, adaptability, decision-making under uncertainty, team development, AI literacy (GMAC, 2025).
2.8×
more likely to outperform financially — organizations with a strong leadership bench (DDI, 2025).
more likely to outperform financially — organizations with a strong leadership bench (DDI, 2025).
Readiness brings rising leaders to the line.
Acceleration takes established leaders beyond it.
Build the capabilities machines cannot master.
Every engagement is scoped to the organization in front of us. Tell us who you are developing and what has to change, and we will tell you what the work looks like.
The Consortium for Leadership Development
Encouraging and Empowering Excellence
Encouraging and Empowering Excellence
franklin@leadershipdoctor.org · St. Louis, Missouri
Curriculum authored by Sharilyn D. Franklin, Ph.D., under The Leadership Doctor®, a registered trademark, U.S. Reg. No. 5,324,707. © 2026 The Consortium for Leadership Development. All rights reserved.
