New Study from Padilla Reveals C-suite Perspectives on Workplace and Business Trends

Cautious optimism coupled with concerns about a complex and uncertain environment, make it a balancing act for C-suite leaders.

Padilla, a top 20 public relations firm in the U.S., has released the findings of its third annual C-suite Perspectives study. The study, which includes data from a survey of more than 100 C-suite executives and 1,000 employed adults and in-depth interviews with nearly 50 C-suite leaders, revealed a clear trend that leaders feel a renewed sense of urgency to move past the reactive management style of recent years to drive their strategic business objectives.

“Leaders ended 2024 with cautious optimism that they could move beyond the near-term management mindset of the past several years and get back to executing on long-term vision and direction,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “That desire to move things forward is coming up against political/geopolitical uncertainty, a fragile workplace culture, and an era marked by increasing mistrust and polarization. This leaves today’s C-suite leaders looking for a way to power through.”

The C-suite Perspectives study, available to download for free, found leaders expressing a growing emphasis on confidence, flexibility, humility, stoicism, and a growth mindset, reflecting their determination to move ahead. They desire more trust, civility and predictability in 2025 and are looking to drive meaningful change and growth for their organizations. In addition, the optimism they feel about the prospect of lower taxes and reduced regulations is tempered by uncertainty related to global tariff conflicts, associated cost increases and supply chain disruptions.

Other key workplace and business trends covered in the study include:

• Change Readiness: Leaders have spent the last few years building change-resilient cultures. 67% of the C-suite feel their employees are “fully” or “very” ready to embrace and assist with change initiatives within the organization, and they’re prepared to capitalize on that. But not all employees are on board – yet.
• Employee Well-being: Despite the increasing challenges of building strong employee cultures, 50% of the C-suite think employees’ well-being has improved over the past year, but only 29% of employees agree.
• C-suite Turnover: The “Great Executive Resignation” continues at unprecedented levels. From 2023 to 2024, there has been a 7-point increase in leaders stepping back earlier than in the past — up to roughly 1 out of 5 leaders. Meanwhile, the next level of leaders doesn’t necessarily want to pick up the baton. 61% of employees (ages 52+) expressed wanting their career/responsibilities to remain the same or be simplified.
• Business Relevance: Pushback on ESG and DEI initiatives is causing some leaders to reconsider their strategies, while others are doubling down, adjusting programs (often quietly) and emphasizing business value.
• Artificial Intelligence: 83% of the C-suite are either selectively or aggressively adopting AI, driven by better quality products and services. While leaders are optimistic, 24% of employees remain uncertain and see it as a moderate or significant threat.

To learn more about the C-suite Perspectives findings and Padilla’s corporate strategic advisory capabilities, connect with us at PadillaCo.com.

Methodology

During the latter half of 2024, Padilla surveyed over 100 C-suite executives and 1,000 employed adults; interviewed nearly 50 C-suite leaders (with AI and human analysis); and conducted desk research, cross-referencing findings with other experts and trend-watchers.

About Padilla

Padilla is a full-service agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across a range of industry sectors is consistently recognized by the PRWeek Awards, PRovoke IN2 SABRE Awards and PRSA Anvil Awards, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes SHIFT (performance communications), FoodMinds (food and nutrition affairs) and Joe Smith (brand strategy). As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 115 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com.

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Padilla's C-suite Perspectives study found leaders expressing a growing emphasis on confidence, flexibility, humility, stoicism, and a growth mindset, reflecting their determination to move ahead in 2025.