Leading with Hope: Why It Matters More Than Ever

There’s no shortage of advice on what makes a great leader: Be bold. Be innovative. Be resilient. But if you strip it all down to its essence—especially in times of uncertainty—your most critical role as a leader is to inspire hope.

This isn’t just a feel-good sentiment. It’s a global imperative backed by hard data.

In Gallup’s 2025 Global Leadership Report: What Followers Want, researchers asked over 30,000 adults across 52 countries to identify the leader who has the most positive impact on their daily life—and to name three words that describe what that leader contributes. The results weren’t ambiguous. Hope emerged as the number one need of followers worldwide.

“More than anything,” Gallup writes, “the data confirm that followers need a sense of hope from their leaders.” — Gallup, Global Leadership Report (2025)

Why Hope Matters—Especially Now

We live in a world where change is the only constant. Climate crises are intensifying, displacing communities and reshaping economies. Ongoing wars and geopolitical instability are redrawing alliances and shaking global security. Inflation and economic volatility are squeezing families and organizations alike. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are redefining the very nature of work, learning, and human connection.

Equally disorienting of all are the unprecedented changes in governance. Around the world, we’re seeing democratic norms challenged, institutions destabilized, and long-standing systems upended—often at alarming speed. In many places, trust in government is eroding, and the very idea of what it means to lead—ethically, transparently, and with accountability—is being reexamined.

These shifts impact how people live, work, and envision their futures. In times like these, followers don’t just want a strategy or a plan—they want to believe in a future worth working toward. Gallup’s data confirms this. Across all countries and demographics, 56% of leadership attributes linked to influence were hope-related—far outpacing trust (33%), compassion (7%), and stability (4%). 

Hope gives people direction when the path ahead feels uncertain. It creates the emotional energy that fuels resilience, perseverance, and innovation. When leaders offer hope, they’re not just motivating others—they’re grounding them in purpose and possibility.

Hope isn’t fluff—it’s a public health metric.

“Hope is the belief that the future will be better than the present—and that people feel empowered to make it so.” — Gallup, Global Leadership Report (2025)

This echoes the very heart of the American Dream. At its core, the American Dream is not just about prosperity; it’s about possibility. It’s the enduring belief that through hard work, perseverance, and opportunity, anyone can create a better life—for themselves and for the next generation. Leaders who inspire hope tap into this deeply held ideal, reminding people that they are not powerless in the face of uncertainty. Instead, they are active agents in shaping their future. In uncertain times, rekindling that sense of agency is one of the most powerful things a leader can do.

The Power of Organizational Leaders

As an executive leadership coach, I often remind clients: your title isn’t what makes you a leader—your impact does. But if you do sit at the top of an org chart, know this: people are looking to you more than anyone else to deliver hope.

According to Gallup, 64% of people who named organizational leaders as having a positive influence described them using hope-based words—more than for managers (59%) or colleagues (58%). That’s a signal. If you’re in a position of authority, hope is not a “nice to have” leadership trait. It’s your job description.

How to Inspire Hope in Uncertain Times

You don’t need to have all the answers. Hope isn’t about pretending everything is fine—it’s about acknowledging challenges and communicating a way forward. It’s about saying, “We can figure this out together.” Here’s how you can start:

• Paint a compelling vision of the future—even if the path is uncertain.

• Communicate consistently and transparently. Silence breeds fear; clarity builds trust.

• Celebrate small wins. Progress fuels hope.

• Be visible, be real, be human. People don’t follow perfection—they follow purpose.

  
  

Hope, like trust, is earned through consistent, intentional leadership. But unlike trust, which is grounded in past performance, hope is forward-facing. It’s the fuel that keeps people moving.

“A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Final Thought

We often talk about innovation, growth, and strategic planning as essential leadership competencies—and they are. But let’s not forget the one that comes before all of them: hope.

If you’re a leader reading this today, ask yourself: What am I doing to inspire hope?

If you don’t know the answer, that’s where the work begins.