Clear Leaders Report 2026

Leadership, alignment, and the courage to close the gap

IABC is proud to partner with Clear Leaders to bring you new, global research exploring one of the most persistent challenges facing organizations today: strategic alignment.

Based on insights from more than 50 CEOs, chiefs of staff, and senior leaders around the world, "From Groupthink to Governance" examines why alignment remains elusive — and what leaders can do to close the gap between strategy and execution. At a time of rapid change and AI-driven acceleration, this research reinforces a critical truth: alignment is not a communication exercise. It is a leadership discipline that directly impacts performance, culture and results.

What the research reveals

• The alignment gap hasn’t improved in years. While leaders consistently say alignment is critical, most organizations still struggle to achieve it in practice.
• Misalignment carries a real cost. Lost time, duplicated work, slower decision-making and reduced trust all contribute to what the report calls the “misalignment tax.”
• Alignment often breaks down early. Challenges begin at the leadership level and are reinforced by unclear strategy, lack of accountability and overreliance on top-down communication.
• Middle managers are critical — but under-supported. They play a pivotal role in translating strategy into action across teams.
• Alignment must be continuous. In today’s environment, it requires ongoing dialogue, measurement and adjustment — not annual planning cycles.
• There are four key shifts organizations must make to move from assumption to action: aligning leadership teams first, measuring what matters, prioritizing conversation over cascade, and treating alignment as an ongoing, agile practice.

Explore the research

Whether you’re a member or new to IABC, this research offers practical, real-world insight to help you strengthen alignment across your organization.

IABC members, log in to your account and return to this page for direct access to the full report! Nonmembers, click the button below to access the report on the Clear Leaders website.

Download the Executive Summary Infographic                    Visit Clear Leaders

Clear Leaders is championed by Zora Artis, GAICD, IABC Fellow, SCMP, ACC, FAMI, CPM and Wayne Aspland, MAICD, FCSCE.

Zora helps leaders do the hard work of alignment when the stakes are high and the path is not obvious. As CEO of Artis Advisory and co-founder of The Alignment People and Clear Leaders, she coaches, advises, and facilitates C-suite and senior teams through change and complexity – turning competing priorities into clear decisions, stronger cohesion, and coordinated action.

Wayne is a leadership, strategy and change communication professional. He helps organisations and teams realise their potential in today’s new world of work. A world where the opportunities created by AI are balanced against the strain of accelerating change and uncertainty. This is achieved with a focus on enabling AI capability, strategic alignment and communication and chage capacity.

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IABC champions research that advances the communication profession, ensuring our members and the broader industry have access to timely, relevant insights that reflect real-world challenges. By supporting and elevating this work, we reinforce our role as a trusted global resource and help communicators stay informed, credible and impactful in a rapidly changing environment.

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