Gallup’s Global Leadership Report 3 reveals that of four traits followers want from their leaders, one stands hand and shoulders above the rest: hope. Over half (56%) of the qualities people named in their best leaders relate to it. Stability on the other hand was favoured by just 4% of people.
This really brings to life how skills once seen as soft are becoming highly valued. Leaders interviewed for this Women in Food report talked of the importance of human connection, emotional intelligence, empathy and psychological safety but also of the role of inspiration and bringing everyone along for the ride. Allyson Zimmermann, CEO of the LEAD Network says that the most effective leaders are happy to share both concerns and hope with their team, saying: “I see the ripples in the water, the waves of the tsunami coming. But looking towards the horizon, the sun will come out again. We’re going to go through this but we’re going to do it differently.” Share the destination Both inspiration and alignment on how “to do it differently” start with everyone knowing not only the vision, but the route to get there too. “I like to use an analogy of a sat nav,” says Jazz Swift from Newton. “If I get into a car with a different sat nav to what I usually use, preloaded with a destination and you made me drive, even if I knew the destination, I wouldn’t trust it. I’d want to know: Why this route? Why this sat nav? I’d question every turn. It’s about trusting where you are going and how you’re going to get there.”
“What are the cultural headwinds that are going to stop people moving there? Pick those off.” To shape every decision colleagues make on a day-to-day basis and engage across our multi- generational workforces, leaders show that the destination is not only about profit, but something more meaningful too. “Drive with purpose,” says Paloma Lopez from Bel Group, “to unite everyone and give meaning to all the effort we are putting into change.” Such passion has a chance to get everyone on board, if adapted to your people. Emma Harris, CFO at Mitchells & Butlers, has seen that if people question your journey. “you’re just going to get stuck. What are the cultural headwinds that are going to stop people moving there? Pick those off.”
7% 4%
Stability
Compassion
33%
Trust
56%
Hope
Emma Harris Chief Financial Officer Mitchells & Butlers
3. Gallup, Global Leadership Report: What Followers Want, 2025
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