Welcome to Leadership Lens, the official blog of D. Roth Group, where we explore the evolving realities of leadership, strategy, and transformation through the eyes of seasoned executives and change agents.
After a brief pause, we’re back. And the timing couldn’t be more critical. As we reach the midpoint of 2025, it’s clear: the rules of leadership are being rewritten again by AI, by people, by pressure, and by purpose.
The most successful leaders aren’t just keeping up. They’re evolving, balancing digital fluency with emotional intelligence, and agility with long-term thinking.
Here are six of the most defining leadership and strategy trends shaping the remainder of 2025:
1. Human Connection Is the New Competitive Edge
While AI dominates the headlines, people skills are proving to be the real differentiator. DDI’s research confirms that trust, empathy, and genuine connection — rather than technical prowess — are what sustain innovation and team performance in today’s workplace.
Action: Normalize vulnerability, create psychological safety, and foster informal connections, even in remote settings.
2. AI Is a Partner, Not a Replacement
Leaders are learning to use AI as a strategy amplifier, not a substitute for insight. According to Korn Ferry, high-performing executives are leveraging AI for analysis and speed, while anchoring final decisions in human judgment and inclusive collaboration.
Action: Balance adoption with intention. Use tech to inform, not dictate. Invest in digital fluency at every level.
3. Hybrid Leadership Requires Intentionality
Remote work is here to stay, but it comes with its challenges. Research from HBR and Monitask shows that thriving hybrid teams require more than Zoom calls: they demand structure, visibility, and meaningful touchpoints.
Action: Establish clear communication norms, define performance expectations, and protect space for focus and rest.
4. The Leadership Pipeline Is Under Strain
Burnout among managers is intensifying a quiet leadership crisis. As succession gaps widen, forward-thinking organizations are investing in leadership development earlier and more comprehensively.
Action: Focus on coaching, mentorship, and succession planning, not just for executives, but also for emerging talent.
5. Law Firms and Professional Services Are Embracing Agility
Once slow to change, law firms are rethinking their rigid structures and embracing lateral hires, hybrid models, and innovation. It’s a signal to all professional service sectors: Agility is no longer optional.
Action: Dismantle outdated models and reimagine flexibility not as a perk, but as a driver of growth.
6. Sustainability Is Strategic, Not Supplemental
Sustainability is no longer relegated to corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. It’s shaping product innovation, consumer trust, and leadership accountability. IMD’s research indicates that ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals are now a central part of strategy, rather than an afterthought.
Action: Tie ESG to business KPIs. Make sustainability a core leadership competency, not a marketing checkbox.
The research above is a synthesis of trends gathered by the D. Roth team, informed by insights from leading firms such as McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, PwC, and Gartner. What follows is my perspective, shaped by 20 years of experience in leadership, transformation, and strategic growth.
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