'Confidence in Leadership' Index Reveals Cautious Optimism

The Korn/Ferry Institute's Q4 "Confidence in Leadership Index" shows rising confidence in corporate leadership globally, an encouraging sign heading into 2010. Several major drivers of confidence reached their 2009 peak in an economy showing signs of recovery.

The Confidence in Leadership Index asks global executives critical questions that produce metrics for: 1) credibility of leadership, 2) trust of leadership, 3) leadership characteristics ("factors") and 4) direction of leadership. The survey was fielded by Braun Research, Inc. between November 19-27, 2009.

Highlights of the survey include:

Credibility of Leadership: 71; +2 points

•Leadership credibility increased across all levels of leadership

•Increased in Asia Pacific, Central/South America and Europe; North America declined

Trust of Leadership: 72; No Change

•North America remains most trusting with an index score of 80

•Europe remains most skeptical with an index score of 63

•Central/South America climbed 6 points to 75

Most Important Leadership Factors: 1) Strategic Skills and 2) Operating Skills

•Personal and interpersonal skills carry more weight in North America and Europe

•Courage and Managing Financial Performance received slightly more emphasis in Central/South America

Direction of Leadership: 22.6; + 3.5 points

•North America is least optimistic (-4.2), though improved after a low in August (-9.9)

•Central/South America most optimistic (+48.5)

"The Q4 Confidence in Leadership Index reflects cautious optimism inspired by a steadying labor market and improving economic picture globally," said Ana Dutra, CEO of Korn/Ferry Leadership and Talent Consulting. "It's especially encouraging to see confidence in CEOs and corporate boards has made positive strides in consecutive quarters, because strong leadership at the top of the house influences the entire organization."

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'Confidence in Leadership' Index Reveals Cautious Optimism

The Man in the Arena

The Man in the Arena is the title of a speech given by Teddy Roosevelt at the Sorbonne in Paris, France on April 23, 1910. It was subsequently re-printed in his book Citizenship in a Republic.

The speech is notable for the extended passage:

'It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.'

The Man in the Arena

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley (1849-1903)

Invictus