50% of Companies Not Prepared to Drive Change Needed for Post-Pandemic Success

Based on a global survey of 1,000 C-suite Executives by the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC)

The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), representing the leading executive search and leadership consulting firms worldwide, has released findings from their new report Adaptive Leaders, Culture & Strategy.  

AESC and its members surveyed nearly 1,000 C-level executives around the world to understand how leaders are thinking about critical business issues and preparing for a post-pandemic business environment. On their agenda includes: 

• Upskilling executive competencies for a new world of work  

• A strong focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) 

• Driving ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) initiatives 

• Leading digital transformation in the wake of COVID-19 

What is certain is what worked for businesses before the pandemic will no longer work going forward. As the business climate changes at an accelerating speed, organizations and their leaders must be able to change course quickly and seamlessly. The survey findings highlight where organizations are most prepared for the course ahead and where they have significant gaps.  

The report insights include: 

• 50% of executives believe their organizations not ready to lead change in DEI, sustainability & digital transformation. 

• Communication & collaboration top priorities for culture improvement. 

• Executives who identify as being from an underrepresented demographic are more likely to believe trust in leadership in their organizations has declined—39% compared to 22% overall. 

• DEI is finally a top priority among leaders, while sustainability lags behind, especially in the Americas. 

Download the research now or contact Joe Chappell at jchappell@aesc.org for AESC commentary. 

 
About AESC

Since 1959, AESC has set the quality standard for the executive search and leadership advisory profession. AESC Members represent 16,000+ trusted professionals in 1,200+ offices, spanning 70+ countries. AESC Members are recognized leaders of global executive search and leadership advisory solutions. They leverage their access and expertise to place more than 100,000 executives each year in board of directors and C-level positions for the world’s leading organizations of all types and sizes. Dedicated to strengthening leadership worldwide, AESC and its members share a deep commitment to the highest quality standards in executive search and leadership consulting—for the benefit of clients and the profession. We Shape. Connect. Educate. Learn more about us at aesc.org. For AESC’s BlueSteps career service, connecting executive-level candidates with the world’s leading executive search firms, visit bluesteps.com.