By the numbers
Leadership development, by the numbers
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by CRW Diversity
Is leadership development worth it for companies in 2026?
Published research suggests leadership development is worth it when it is applied: Research.com reports a 20% to 28% boost in manager performance metrics after training. This page, collected by CRW Diversity, gathers the strongest published statistics on leader pressure, training effectiveness, and inclusion, each with its source.
Every figure below comes from the named publisher, not from CRW Diversity. We kept each number, date, and condition exactly as reported.
The pressure on leaders and managers
67%
of CHROs report increased expectations for employee productivity (Gartner survey of 297 CHROs, July 2026, released October 6, 2026).
Source: Braintrust Growth, 22 Leadership Development Statistics for 2026
47%
of managers say more is expected of them than a year ago (Gartner survey of 2,947 employees and managers, November and December 2025, published April 2026).
Source: Braintrust Growth, 22 Leadership Development Statistics for 2026
~9 hours
a week, more than 20% of working time, is what managers spend on employees' personal and emotional concerns (same Gartner survey).
Source: Braintrust Growth, 22 Leadership Development Statistics for 2026
24%
of leadership teams are aligned on who's accountable for AI agents (Gartner survey of 297 CHROs).
Source: Braintrust Growth, 22 Leadership Development Statistics for 2026
Does leadership development work?
20% to 28%
boost in manager performance metrics, and a 20% improvement in skill acquisition, after leadership training (Exec Learn, 2025; Gallup, 2024).
85%
of managers who receive coaching outperform their peers in critical skills such as resilience and agility.
Source: Kinkajou Consulting, Top leadership development statistics 2026
70%
of L&D professionals and functional leaders say it's important or very important for leaders to master a wider range of effective leadership behaviours.
Source: Kinkajou Consulting, Top leadership development statistics 2026
Inclusion and who leads
12% and 20%
a diverse workforce results in a 12% increase in performance and a 20% rise in intention to remain with the organization.
Source: Infopro Learning, 5 Simple Steps for Inclusive Leadership Strategies
61%
of senior managers and directors are men; 46% are white men and 15% are men of colour.
Source: Kinkajou Consulting, Top leadership development statistics 2026
57% and 55%
of Gen Zers and millennials, respectively, do not trust business leaders to make decisions with society's best interests at heart (Deloitte).
63%
of the global workforce in 2024 is made up of millennials and Gen Zers, according to research cited.
What these numbers mean for your leadership program
Leaders and managers are being asked for more, and they have limited time. Programs that add content without changing decisions risk adding to that load. CRW Diversity's approach, the Equity in Action Model, focuses on the decisions leaders already make and the systems around them.
See how that works in CRW Diversity's leadership development programs for companies, or read how we select statistics.
Common questions
Does leadership training actually improve performance?
Published research suggests it can. Research.com reports that after leadership training, participants showed a 20% improvement in skill acquisition and a 20% to 28% boost in manager performance metrics, citing Exec Learn (2025) and Gallup (2024). Results depend on whether learning is applied in everyday decisions.
More answers in the FAQWhat are leadership development programs for companies?
Leadership development programs for companies are structured learning experiences that help leaders improve how they make decisions, lead people, and shape culture. At CRW Diversity, these programs combine practical workshops with the Equity in Action Model, so leaders examine both how they lead and how the organization around them operates.
More answers in the FAQWhat are the best executive leadership training programs?
The best executive leadership training program is the one that fits your leaders’ real decisions and your organization’s systems. Common formats include university executive education, large training company catalogs, peer advisory groups, and advisor-led programs such as CRW Diversity. This site’s guide compares them on the same criteria and is published by CRW Diversity.
More answers in the FAQWhat is inclusive leadership training?
Inclusive leadership training teaches leaders to make fair, deliberate decisions so talent, ideas, and perspectives are not overlooked. CRW Diversity teaches it through the Equity in Action Model, which asks leaders to examine their awareness, who has access to opportunity, how they advocate, act, stay accountable for outcomes, and empower people.
More answers in the FAQWhat usually affects the cost of a leadership development program?
Across this kind of consulting, cost usually depends on the number of participants, the number and length of sessions, whether senior executives need individual advisory time, customization, and travel. CRW Diversity has not published its own pricing, so confirm details for your organization by contacting Celeste Warren directly.
More answers in the FAQ