A significant number of Canadian professionals would reject a job offer based on their opinion of a company’s CEO, according to new research from recruitment firm Robert Walters. The study, which surveyed over 2,000 white-collar workers, found that 33% of professionals would reconsider accepting a role if they disliked the CEO, with 15% saying they would outright decline an offer due to negative views of the company’s top leader.
The findings highlight the influence that company leadership, particularly the CEO, has on workplace culture and employee decision-making. Nearly half of respondents (48%) stated they would rethink or reject a job offer based on their assessment of a company’s CEO or senior leadership.
“Over the last 18 months, the profile of the CEO has definitely been raised, and this can be seen across all sectors,” said Martin Fox, Managing Director of Robert Walters Canada. “Our polls showcase that prospective employees are making career decisions based on a CEO’s opinion or lack thereof.”
The survey also revealed a notable level of distrust in leadership, with 35% of respondents saying they do not trust their CEO or leaders to “do what is right.” Inconsistent messaging and unclear communication were cited as primary reasons for distrust, with 43% of professionals pointing to these issues as factors that undermine their confidence in leadership.
In contrast, professionals reported that a CEO’s ability to lead by example is crucial to fostering trust. More than half of respondents (52%) said that CEOs and senior leaders have the greatest influence on workplace culture, while only 14% believed that employees themselves hold this influence.
The research also underscored the connection between leadership style and employee retention. According to Fox, “Increasingly, CEOs and senior leaders will play a crucial role in turnover, attraction, and retention rates.”
The ability to lead by example was considered the most valuable trait in a CEO, with 36% of respondents identifying it as the top leadership quality. Empathy and the ability to listen were also highly regarded, with 31% citing these traits as critical for CEO success.
Professionals further stressed the importance of transparency, as demonstrated by additional research from the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer. The study found that among employees who felt trusted by their CEO, 87% reciprocated that trust. In contrast, only 27% of those who did not feel trusted by their CEO expressed confidence in their leader.
Fox emphasized the need for open communication between leaders and employees, stating, “Employees want leaders who are transparent, good communicators, and maintain a strong, consistent voice. It’s about being in touch with the people around you, having a diverse team, and hearing a host of different opinions.”
