Are Canada’s Frontline Leaders Ready for the New Era of Management?
As technology, hybrid work, and generational change reshape today’s workplace, managers across Canada face challenges unlike any before. A new study led by Level 52 Inc., in collaboration with the CIM | Chartered Managers Canada, explores how prepared our first-level leaders really are, and what it will take to help them thrive in the next decade of management.
The Hidden Gap in Canada’s Leadership Pipeline
Ninety percent of first-time managers feel unprepared for their leadership role, and it’s costing organizations dearly. Across Canada, organizations are facing a widening leadership gap. As artificial intelligence, automation, and shifting workforce expectations transform operations, frontline managers - the people directly leading teams, projects, and clients - are under more pressure than ever. Yet many are promoted for their technical excellence rather than their leadership readiness, stepping into people-management roles without the tools, coaching, or confidence to succeed. The result is predictable: higher stress, costly turnover, and a growing divide between what organizations expect and what managers are equipped to deliver.
Leadership in Transition
In the last five years, the manager’s role has been completely redefined. Today’s leaders must coach, motivate, and retain talent while achieving performance targets in an environment of constant change. Millennials and Gen Z now make up the majority of new frontline managers. They bring innovation and purpose but face the complex challenges of managing former peers, bridging generational expectations, and leading hybrid or remote teams where influence matters more than authority. Leadership is no longer about control; it’s about connection. Success now depends on adaptability, trust, and emotional intelligence as much as on technical skill.
"Technical skill alone is no longer enough. Relational and adaptive leadership are now the new cornerstones of success."
The Cost of Unprepared Leadership
When leaders feel unprepared, the effects ripple through their teams and the organization as a whole. Untrained managers struggle to delegate, develop others, and maintain morale. Burnout spreads quickly when leaders lack the tools to manage stress for themselves or their teams. This isn’t just a training gap. Leadership readiness directly influences organizational culture, safety, productivity, and retention.
A Data-Driven Approach to Building Better Leaders
Traditional leadership programs often come too late, after unhelpful habits have taken root. The Frontline Leadership Readiness Study by Level 52 Inc. takes a proactive, evidence-based approach. This North America–wide initiative examines what skills most influence confidence and capability, how leadership stress impacts engagement, and how generational and technological shifts are redefining management today.
Participating organizations nominate 20-50 emerging or frontline leaders to:
- Complete a benchmarking survey to assess current readiness.
- Engage in a 60-day leadership development experience focused on core management skills.
- Participate in a short follow-up assessment to measure growth.
Participation requires roughly 12–15 hours in total over four months and is completely free of charge. In return, organizations receive exclusive benchmarking data, actionable readiness insights, and access to a private AI dashboard that allows them to explore results by industry, role, and region.
Why CIM Members Should Participate
For over 80 years, CIM | Chartered Managers Canada has championed the advancement of management excellence across Canada. This collaboration with Level 52 builds on that legacy, empowering CIM members to strengthen their leadership pipelines through data-driven insights and practical development. By participating, CIM members will not only contribute to a national understanding of leadership readiness but will also gain extensive and valuable organizational data to guide their own talent strategy, succession planning, and professional growth.
"Before we can strengthen leadership, we must first understand it. This study helps Canadian organizations and managers do both."
Join the Frontline Leadership Readiness Study
Gain access to your organization’s leadership readiness data, benchmark against peers across North America, and help shape the future of management in Canada. Participation is free and involves a short benchmarking and exit survey for selected managers.
Apply today to have your organization included in the study.
Email: study@level52.ca
Website: www.level52.ca | www.cim.ca
