Youth Pulse 2026

Most valued leadership qualities FIGURE 6 Which qualities do you respect most in leadership?* Innovative vision and long-term thinking (58%) 1 Transparency and accountability (56%) 2 Courage to make difficult decisions (39%) 3Male Innovative vision and long-term thinking (52%) 1 Transparency and accountability (50%) 2 Commitment to justice (34%) 3Non-binary/transgender/prefer to self-describeTransparency and accountability (57%) 1 Innovative vision and long-term thinking (52%) 2 Willingness to listen and collaborate (44%) 3Female Transparency and accountability (56%) 1 Innovative vision and long-term thinking (54%) 2 Willingness to collaborate (41%) 3Global average0 10 20 30 40 60 50Innovative vision and long-term thinking Willingness to listen and collaborate Courage to make difficult decisions Commitment to justice Ability to communicate clearly Support for well-being and inclusion Qualifications and expertise Commitment to environmental impact 54.3%Transparency and accountability 56.4% 41.0% 34.4% 30.3% 24.6% 22.6% 16.6% 13.4% Note: *Respondents were asked to select up to three qualities Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the next generation for a changing world 17