Leadership That Inspires
By
Elisabeth Zaloznik
Great leaders don’t just manage—they mentor. Learn why leadership quality drives engagement, how it impacts hiring outcomes, and what to prioritize in 2026.
Leadership That Inspires: The Hiring Advantage Most Companies Overlook
In 2026, one of the biggest differentiators in hiring won’t be perks, titles, or job descriptions.
It will be leadership.
Gallup has reported that managers account for at least 70% of the variance in team engagement—a massive indicator of performance, retention, and culture. Gallup.com
At the same time, U.S. engagement recently fell to one of its lowest levels in a decade—making leadership quality even more critical. Gallup.com
What 2025 Showed Us
When candidates evaluate an offer, they’re often asking one question (even if they don’t say it out loud):
“Will I grow under this leader—or will I survive them?”
And it’s not just candidates. Organizations are also placing more value on leadership and social influence as core skills moving forward. World Economic Forum
What Inspiring Leaders Actually Do
The best leaders don’t just manage tasks—they mentor people. They:
set clear expectations
coach consistently
give timely, meaningful feedback
create psychological safety through respect and clarity
develop others without ego
That’s where the magic happens in recruiting—because strong leaders attract strong talent.
If you want to WIN in 2026, hire great people and build leaders worth following. True Axis Recruiting can help you do both through alignment-first hiring. Schedule a call