In 2025, the global landscape has become increasingly complex and challenging. Despite research by Goleman debunking the efficacy of coercive and pace-setting leadership styles, there is a noticeable public shift back towards the traditional command-and-control model of leadership. This trend raises important considerations for leaders within organizations who have been focusing on developing visionary, democratic, affiliative, and coaching leadership styles as highlighted in Goleman’s research. 

Studies have consistently shown that these progressive leadership approaches foster higher levels of employee engagement and motivation, which in turn lead to improved organizational performance. Leadership education and coaching have evolved, decisively concluding that inclusive and emotionally intelligent leadership styles produce significantly better outcomes. The question now is what does this all mean for leadership coaches who work with leaders in organizations?

The Shift Towards Inclusive Leadership

The shift towards inclusive leadership marks a pivotal transition in the corporate world. Visionary leaders, who can articulate a compelling future and inspire their teams, create a sense of purpose and direction. Democratic leaders, who involve team members in decision-making processes, enhance commitment and accountability. Affiliative leaders, who prioritize relationships and emotional bonds, build trust and harmony within teams. Coaching leaders, who focus on developing individuals’ strengths and potential, foster a culture of continuous learning and growth.

The demand for leadership coaching has surged as organizations recognize the need to support leaders in becoming both caring and daring (Kohlrieser, Goldsworthy & Coombe). Coaching helps leaders develop the skills and mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of modern leadership. It equips them with the tools to manage their energy and emotions, enabling them to lead with empathy, resilience, and authenticity to establish Trust, Clarity and Momentum in their Leadership OS (Ben-Hur & Kinley). 

The Rise of Populism and its Impact 

At the political level, however, a starkly different trend has emerged. The rise of populism has seen the election of “strongmen” in many countries, with the USA being a prominent example. These leaders often employ tactics that trample proven facts, disregard others, create chaos, and spread fear and lies. They frequently question scientific facts and undermine established institutions, contributing to an atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust. The media and social media have played a significant role in exacerbating these issues. Fact-checking is no longer a priority, and the proliferation of artificial intelligence has made it possible for anyone to create and disseminate false information. This environment stands in direct contradiction to the principles of good leadership, which emphasize truth, integrity, and the well-being of others.

Challenges for Organizational Leaders

For leaders in organizations, this dichotomy presents a profound challenge. How do they reconcile the need for inclusive, emotionally intelligent leadership with the pervasive influence of populist tactics and misinformation? How do they maintain their values and lead effectively in a world where truth and integrity are often undermined?

Leaders must navigate this landscape with a heightened sense of awareness and adaptability. They need to stay true to their core values while being flexible enough to respond to the ever-changing external environment. This requires a deep understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the ability to build strong, trusting relationships with their teams. Effective leaders must also be adept at managing their energy and emotions. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, it is easy to become overwhelmed and burnt out. Leaders need to prioritize self-care and develop strategies to maintain their well-being. This might include regular reflection, mindfulness practices, and seeking support from mentors or coaches.

Coaching

The world’s largest association of coaches, ICF (International Coaching Federation) has a vision, which stated “A world where coaching is integral to transforming societies”. It further states as its mission “We advance coaching excellence, impact and value worldwide” based on the following values: Professionalism, Collaboration, Humanity and Equity. In the current landscape this begs the question what are the implications for leadership coaches, particularly in terms of impact, humanity and transforming societies?

The Role of Leadership Coaches

Leadership coaches play a crucial role in supporting leaders through these turbulent times. They provide a safe space for leaders to explore their challenges, gain new perspectives, and develop actionable strategies. Coaches help leaders build resilience and emotional intelligence, enabling them to respond to stress and uncertainty with composure and confidence. Coaches also assist leaders in aligning their actions with their values, ensuring that they lead with integrity even in the face of external pressures. By fostering a growth mindset, coaches encourage leaders to see challenges as opportunities for learning and development. This mindset is essential for navigating the complexities of modern leadership and driving sustainable success. For coaches it is just as, or maybe even more, important to focus on self-care and well-being. 

One Possible Approach

The Climate Coaching Alliance has done a great job in providing some questions for coaches to broaden the perspective of clients to address today’s complexities while driving sustainable suceess. These questions may assist in framing coaching conversations during the contracting phase. The questions (from the coach to the client) are:

1. What do you most care about?
   1. Who and what does your work and life serve? And who else? And what about the more than human world? Who in the future?
   1. If all these stakeholders were present with us right now, what would they say you and I need to talk about more and do something about?

This would give the client the opportunity to deepen their thought process and, especially in question 3, go much further than questions like “what would you like to focus on in our session today”, or “what would you like to happen in our session today”, etcetera, which are great questions that can still come at a later stage after the initially suggested framing.

Self-Care & Well-Being Strategies

As mentioned above, self-care and well-being are important for leaders and, perhaps even more so for leadership coaches. Ultimately, the ability to manage energy and emotions is critical for both. This involves developing self-awareness and emotional regulation skills. Leaders and coaches need to recognize their emotional triggers and learn how to respond rather than react. They must cultivate a positive mindset and practice gratitude, which can help shift focus from challenges to opportunities.

Mindfulness and meditation practices can be powerful tools for managing stress and maintaining mental clarity. Regular physical exercise and a healthy diet also contribute to overall well-being. Leaders and coaches should prioritize these practices to sustain their energy levels and remain effective in their roles. In addition, coaches, who often work alone, should also consider supervision as a means to reenergize and regenerate themselves. Coaching Supervision is defined by ICF as “the interaction that occurs when a coach periodically brings his or her coaching work experiences to a coaching supervisor in order to engage in reflective dialogue and collaborative learning for the development and benefit of the coach and his or her clients.” It is particularly the Restorative part of Supervision that will give coaches the opportunities to recharge energy and work on emotional aspects, particularly given the world we live in today.

Conclusion

The world in 2025 is undoubtedly a complex and challenging place for leaders and leadership coaches. The contrast between the principles of inclusive, emotionally intelligent leadership and the rise of populist tactics creates a unique set of challenges. However, by staying true to their values, developing resilience, and prioritizing self-care, leaders can navigate these turbulent times with grace and effectiveness.

Leadership coaches will continue to play a vital role in supporting leaders through this journey, helping them to build the skills and mindset necessary for success. Together, they can create a positive impact within their organizations and contribute to a more just and compassionate world.

Note: Copilot, a MS Word AI Tool, has been used to create an initial draft of this document, which has thereafter been updated and adapted by the author.