DDI Data Reveals Delegation Is Top Factor in Preventing Burnout—Yet 81% of Rising Leaders Lack Proficiency in This Skill

PITTSBURGH, APRIL 8, 2025 -- DDI, a global, award-winning leadership consultancy, today released new data exposing the causes behind mounting leader stress and its widespread impact on organizations. According to its latest Global Leadership Forecast 2025, based on insights from 10,796 leaders worldwide, 71% of leaders report they’ve experienced significantly higher stress since stepping into their current role jeopardizing retention, productivity and overall organizational performance.  

“Burnout is hitting leaders across industries at alarming rates,” said Stephanie Neal, Director of DDI's Center for Analytics and Behavioral Research. “Our data shows that leaders in education, healthcare and technology are under the most strain, putting organizations at risk of losing high-potential talent and seeing performance decline.” 

With nearly one in six leaders facing burnout, the data makes one thing clear: traditional wellness programs aren’t enough. Combating leadership burnout requires a strategic focus on skill building and organizational support, not just individual resilience. Additional findings include: 

• In-Person Time Adds Pressure: Onsite leaders report higher stress levels (74%) than those who are hybrid (72%) or remote (66%). This is likely due to face-to-face interactions that create constant emotional management and direct exposure to workplace tensions. The in-person time also adds pressure to maintain a visible “leadership presence” throughout the day. 
• Hybrid and Remote Leaders Face Higher Burnout: Despite lower stress levels, hybrid and remote leaders report the highest burnout rates at 57% and 56%, respectively, highlighting the challenges of isolation and blurred work-life boundaries. In-person leaders, on the other hand, report a 52% burnout rate.  
• Mismatch in Work Arrangements Amplifies Stress: Remote employees with in-office managers are 2X more likely to be stressed than those with managers who also work virtually. Onsite employees with remote managers are 1.4X more likely to be stressed than those with onsite managers. This suggests communication gaps and mismatched expectations exacerbate burnout. Pairing direct reports with managers in the same work arrangement could help mitigate stress. 
• Burnout Reduces Effectiveness: Burnt-out leaders are 34% less likely to rate their effectiveness above their peers than those not experiencing burnout. Less effective leaders result in missed opportunities, poor decisions and cause slower progress that hurts profits. 
• Retention Risk: Stressed and burnt-out leaders are 3.5X more likely to leave their position to improve their well-being. When leaders quit, workflow breaks, putting added pressure on other leaders and teams. 
• Lower Engagement, Weaker Culture: Burnt-out leaders are half (50%) as likely to be engaged in their roles as those who are not. When leaders lose interest, they risk spreading disengagement to their teams, hurting morale and weakening workplace culture. 

One of the most striking findings reveals delegation as the most effective skill for preventing burnout. Yet, based on separate insights from DDI’s assessments of more than 70,000 manager candidates, only 19% demonstrate strong delegation abilities. 

“Emerging leaders are struggling to transition from being 'doers' to 'delegators,'” said, Tacy M. Byham, Ph.D., CEO of DDI, “The good news is that delegation is a skill that can be developed. With the right training and support, organizations can empower leaders to build healthier, more resilient teams.” 

For additional insights and strategies to prevent burnout and build sustainable leadership cultures, visit https://www.ddiworld.com/blog/prevent-burnout. 

About DDI  
DDI is a global leadership consulting firm that helps organizations hire, promote and develop exceptional leaders. From first-time managers to C-suite executives, DDI is by leaders' sides, supporting them in every critical moment of leadership. Built on five decades of research and experience in the science of leadership, DDI's evidence-based assessment and development solutions enable millions of leaders around the world to succeed, propelling their organizations to new heights. For more information, visit ddiworld.com.  

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