Canada, U.S. firms put most emphasis on leadership skills: Survey

71 per cent say it’s the top factor to consider when hiring senior executives

Compared with organizations throughout the world, North American organizations place a higher priority on leadership ability and potential than any other factor when filling a top position, according to a survey by Right Management.

Among the hiring factors to be considered for senior executive or C-level positions were: track record for driving business performance, cultural fit with the organization, creativity and innovation as well as critical thinking skills. Seventy-one per cent of United States and Canadian respondents gave leadership skills as their top priority, according to the survey of 2,000 hiring managers from 17 countries.

“When it comes to the very top positions, all organizations recognize the pivotal importance of leadership skills whether it would be innate charisma or skills carefully developed over a lifetime,” said Jeff Gerkin, general manager of Right Management. “But the survey findings reveal somewhat different priorities. While North American organizations place the greatest priority on leadership, European employers match the global average of 61 per cent, and the percentage drops among Asia Pacific respondents (53 per cent).”

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