Inside the leadership growth agenda

Executive summary

Professional services firms are facing a growth environment defined by pressure and possibility in equal measure. Markets are shifting at speed, client expectations are rising, and technology is redefining how firms deliver value. 

In this environment, sustainable growth depends on more than winning new work. It relies on operational discipline, visibility, and confidence in the decisions leaders make every day. Yet our research suggests many of those decisions are being made without the right foundations in place. Blind spots in planning, forecasting, and resourcing leave leaders building growth strategies without a clear view of where they are steering. And here lies the problem. 

The result is growth left on the table – and with it, missed revenue targets, eroded margins, and technology investments that fail to deliver. These aren't just operational foundations; they're strategic risks. 

This report explores those blind spots and the visibility gap at their core – and why closing the visibility gap must now be a boardroom priority. 

— Matt Cockett, CEO, Dayshape

Key themes

Growth is leaking

Growth isn't being lost in the market. It's leaking from within the firm.

Visibility is lacking

Despite initial confidence, many leaders don't have operational visibility.

Fairness is key to retention

Workload unfairness and burnout are the silent killers of performance.

Tech ambition ≠ execution

Tech is a priority, but many leaders are still plagued by poor data quality.

Contributors