Drawing on academic research and practitioner experience, this report explores what good leadership looks like and how people professionals can be effective in the selection and development of senior leaders
Good senior leadership is vital in providing organisations with the right strategic direction and oversight. But what are the skills, capabilities and knowledge that senior leaders should be equipped with? And how can people professionals tasked with selecting, developing or advising on senior leadership positions, carry this out effectively?
The CIPD commissioned research that took an evidence-based approach to understanding current practices to provide practical insight into the following questions:
The resulting takeaways and recommendations will help people professionals influence and establish the right leadership in their organisations in a strategic and informed way.
Emma Jordaan, Founder and CEO of Dubai-based consultancy, Infinite Consulting, explores leadership’s role in embracing diversity to achieve the cultural unity needed to sustain organisational performance
In this guest blog for International HR Day 2026, David R Blackburn, Chartered CCIPD and Managing Director, David R Blackburn Consulting, explores the value of building trust for leaders and organisations looking to bring the best out of their employees.
In this guest blog for International HR Day 2026, Wendy K. Smith, Dana J. Johnson Professor of Management, University of Delaware and Faculty Fellow, Harvard Business School, explores how both/and thinking will define the future of leadership.
In this blog for International HR Day 2026, Lisa Pearl, People and Change Director, CIPD, explains why HR professionals are central to creating an environment of trust-based, people-centred leadership that drives sustainable performance.
Insights, benchmarking data and recommendations from the CIPD's latest survey on employee benefits
Based on an assessment of FTSE 100 annual reports and focus groups with investors and HR leaders, this report gives benchmarking data, insights and practical recommendations for improving workforce reporting practices
The CIPD’s biennial report exploring health, wellbeing and absence management provides invaluable trend analysis and practice insight to help employers and people professionals develop and maintain supportive, productive workplaces
Our research explores how current flexible and hybrid working practices are impacting performance, employee engagement and wellbeing