Leadership Study Results

In the second half of 2019 the author's team spent over 250 hours surveying and interviewing 190 business leaders worldwide, with a focus on technology executives. The data shows that lack of confidence, often manifesting as imposter syndrome, is the most common obstacle, choking risk-taking, assertiveness, and overall performance.

Leaders also struggle to act strategically in day-to-day work. Many remain stuck in tactical roles, avoid delegation, and lack systems for accountability, which keeps them entrenched in fire-fighting. A case study of a business owner named Tim illustrates how coaching, delegation, and empowerment shifted his focus from tactical tasks to strategic growth.

The study uncovered hidden blind spots: leaders under immense stress experience depression, addictive behaviors, and family strain. These personal consequences ripple through teams, reducing morale and productivity. Importantly, the motivation to improve leadership is rarely money or power; it's driven by a desire for impact and service.

Finally, the author argues that effective leadership development must be both scientific and artistic, combining proven tools, habit formation, and community support. The resulting "Leadership Impact Formula" blends emotional intelligence, psychology, and neuroscience into practical systems that help leaders build confidence, think strategically, and avoid burnout.