A strong majority of respondents believe corporate America is in the midst of a “leadership crisis” and that older business leaders “refuse to pass the torch to the next wave,” according to a U.S. News – Harris Poll survey released Tuesday which has revealed a negative assessment of American leadership almost across the board.

A joint project between U.S. News and The Harris Poll, the survey asked 2,100 American adults to assess the state of leadership in the country – from the government to the corporate world. Respondents were reached online between Nov. 17-19, 2023.

While the picture painted is not as grim as that of leadership in the political sphere, the results show Americans are down on business leaders in society. More than three-quarters of those surveyed agree with the statement, “There is a leadership crisis in corporate America today,” with women being more likely than men to agree (81% v. 74%). Asked about leadership at their own company, respondents are less critical. A majority (59%) agree with the statement, “I don’t see any leaders at my company today that I aspire to be.”

But 76% of respondents also agree that in general, “Older business leaders refuse to pass the torch to the next wave of leaders,” such as those who are “younger,” “look different” and “view the world differently.”

The survey provides strong evidence elsewhere that respondents want to see change. Asked whether business leaders who uphold the “status quo” through actions like not promoting employees with different backgrounds, forbidding remote work and disregarding suggestions are harming their companies in the long term, 76% of those surveyed said they agree. Larger shares of women and non-Hispanic Black respondents agree.

Survey respondents also express concerns about how corporate leaders are addressing diversity. Close to 75% say business leaders should be addressing diversity, equity and inclusion “more in the workplace than they are currently,” while nearly two-thirds say there isn’t enough diversity in leadership in corporate America overall, referring to broad diversity of gender, race, ethnicity and age. Larger shares of Black, female and LGBTQ respondents say there isn’t enough diversity among corporate America’s leaders. But a smaller share (55%) believe there isn’t enough diversity at their own place of work today, and the same percentage agree with the statement, “Those who should be leaders at my company are looked over due to their identities,” including race and gender.

Americans surveyed didn’t respond quite so negatively when it came to their own workplace. Still, majorities agree with all six critical statements provided to them regarding leaders at their business. For instance, 57% agree that their company “has a difficult time retaining talent due to its leadership’s decisions” and the same percentage said the values held by current leaders at their job “don’t match those of their employees.”

And as companies adjust to a new corporate landscape coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, 56% of respondents agree with the statement, “My managers and bosses are worse today compared to pre-pandemic times.” Respondents making a household income of $150,000 or more per year are more likely to agree with all of the statements about their own business leaders.

Those surveyed certainly place a heavy weight on the shoulders of corporate leaders by and large. More than 3 in 4 respondents (77%) agree that “Business leaders – not just political leaders – have a responsibility to help solve issues in society.”

“Today, Americans are calling for a new age of leadership to guide society through these numerous crises of today – one that leans heavily on the core basics of trust, honesty and hard work but also recognizes the benefits of collaboration and diversity needed in leadership,” The Harris Poll said in a statement analyzing the politics and business survey’s results.