The breakneck pace of technology, unprecedented cyber threats and endless economic disruption have left business leaders struggling with the increasing complexity of their roles, according to new research from the Alliance Manchester Business School.

In a survey of 500 senior decision-makers within UK businesses, almost three-quarters said that their role as a leader has become more complex over the past five years, rising to 79% among directors and C-suite leaders.

The emergence of new technologies, and in particular AI, was widely agreed as adding to the burden, with 31% of leaders citing this as one of the main reasons their job has become harder.

Other key factors highlighted were increased cybersecurity and data privacy risks (28%), the performance of the UK economy (27%) and the maze of fresh regulations and legislation firms are forced to weave through (27%).

Elsewhere, a quarter (25%) of business leaders said that pressure on meeting expectations around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) had been a contributor to the complexity of their roles over the past five years, while 25% also cited the rise of remote working, and 21% pointed to employees’ demands for better pay.

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“If you look at the different factors contributing to this increased complexity, you quickly appreciate just how much the business world has been transformed since 2020,” said Stuart Wells, managing director of executive education at Alliance Manchester Business School.

“The rise of remote working since Covid, the proliferation of AI tools, scrutiny over DEI, cyber threats and data privacy, and turbulence within the broader economic climate – senior decision-makers are needing to navigate all these changes as they lead their teams and perform in their roles, and that is hugely challenging. 

 “Regardless of experience or competence, it’s clear that many senior managers require greater support. From peer-to-peer learning to formal training, it is imperative that organisations consider which issues are impacting their leadership team and take action to ensure individuals are suitably equipped to lead effectively in this rapidly changing business world.”