In a world of constant disruption, one thing remains stable: what people expect from their leaders. According to Gallup’s Global Leadership Report: What Followers Want, launched at the World Governments Summit, hope, trust, compassion, and stability are the top human needs that define great leadership — and these expectations are strikingly consistent across countries, sectors and roles.
The research, based on surveys from over 50 countries, highlights that hope is the most valued leadership trait, representing 56% of desired attributes globally. The presence of hope directly impacts wellbeing: only 33% of followers thrive without hopeful leadership, but that number rises to 38% when hope is felt. This effect is even more pronounced for senior leaders. The more senior a person is within an organization, the more followers rely on them for direction: 64% of respondents expect hope from organizational leaders, compared to 59% from managers and 58% from peers.
No previous study has examined leadership expectations across such a diverse and global sample. The results are clear: meeting human needs is not a soft skill — it’s a leadership imperative. And while only 4% of desired traits relate to stability and 7% to compassion, their absence can significantly erode trust and cohesion.
Importantly, 34% of employed respondents say their workplace leaders have the greatest positive impact on their lives. For current and aspiring leaders, this is more than a call to action — it’s a blueprint for building influence, loyalty and results.
—
Sources:
Gallup, Global Leadership Report: What Followers Want
World Governments Summit 2025
