The study identifies the top 25 countries based on the analysis of over a million people from SHL's global Talent Analytic database.
But the landscape of leadership potential changes significantly, when analysing the supply of leadership talent for tomorrow.
Mexico, Turkey and Egypt have the greatest source of potential future leaders. In contrast, the UK drops 18 places to fall out of the top 20 and Hong Kong falls from poll position to 20th whilst Mexico and Brazil jump 19 and 21 places respectively, with Mexico topping the table.
Paul Levett, chief product officer, at SHL, said: "Despite having a strong supply of leaders for today, the UK has a leadership time bomb on its hands if it doesn't invest in learning and development to cultivate its potential leaders and remain competitive. Rising education standards and a culture of entrepreneurialism are some of the many environmental factors that are driving emerging economies such as Brazil, India, Mexico and Turkey up the rankings for future leadership potential. These nations have a huge growth opportunity if they can identify, nurture and develop this potential.
"Companies need to build greater intelligence about the leadership talent within their organisations and be aware of opportunities outside their domestic markets. Understanding the supply of leadership where organisations operate is crucial for adapting leadership development and talent mobility programmes so that companies remain competitive in the global economy."
The study also found globally, only one in 15 (6.7%), managers and professionals qualify as effective leaders today. One in three managers and professionals have the next tier of potential leaders of tomorrow but for this level of people the journey to realise that potential is longer and needs targeted investment. The value of investing in these people is substantial because there are six times as many managers and professionals with this level of potential than effective leaders of today.
In China (Taiwan), Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and US, the supply of effective leaders for today and potential leaders of tomorrow is stronger than the average global supply. While competing for leadership talent remains a challenge in these geographies, the odds of finding effective leaders today are significantly higher at one in 10 vs. the global average of one in 15.
