As organizations cut layers of middle management, senior executives are shouldering more day-to-day responsibilities, according to Korn Ferry’s Workforce 2025 survey.
About 4 in 10 survey respondents said their organization has reduced management layers, based on responses from more than 15,000 professionals — from entry-level employees to CEOs — across the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan and India.
Among the findings, 43% said their leaders lack alignment, and 37% said they feel “directionless” without managers. With senior leaders taking on more, there is less time for collaboration and communication, according to Korn Ferry.
Additionally, 40% of CEOs and 43% of senior executives said they do not feel confident in their ability to fulfill their responsibilities.
Reducing management can lead to lower productivity because of lack of support, increased turnover and weakened communication and alignment, Korn Ferry wrote in the report.
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