This report explores how leadership challenges, workforce pressures, and strategic priorities interact to define the leadership agenda for 2025. It focuses on three key areas:

 

We begin by profiling Europe’s leaders by role and experience and identifying their

most pressing challenges. This section also explores how leaders perceive organisational support, collaboration, and clarity in strategic ownership.

 

Next, we examine how workforces are expected to change in 2025 and what people-related challenges leaders are most concerned about — from retention and reskilling to engagement and leadership pipelines.

 

Finally, we look at how leaders allocate their time and attention, what slows down critical decisions, and which areas are at the top of the strategic agenda for 2025.

 

Our aim is to provide a clear, insight-driven perspective on how Europe’s leaders are responding to pressure and where they are focusing their strategic energy for the future.