RoCoach survey: In the eyes of Romanian employees, a ”good leader” isn’t necessarily charismatic – they’re someone who is consistent, present, approachable and dependable

In an ever-changing labour market where the competition to attract and retain talent is becoming increasingly intense, quality leadership is emerging as a genuine strategic advantage. Simply having a management position is no longer enough, what matters is how you relate to people and build relationships based on trust, clarity and respect.

According to a RoCoach survey of over 600 respondents nationwide, the profile of the ideal leader, as seen by the team, is someone who is consistent and has integrity, and is able to understand and support the people around them. Employees are no longer impressed by formal authority or personal charisma; what really matters is the leader’s character and consistency between their words and actions.

The survey clearly shows big differences in perception between managers and employees. For instance, over half of leaders (53.7%) think they are highly ethical, yet only one in four employees (27.4%) agree. Similarly, nearly half of managers (49.2%) say they are empathetic, but most employees (48.8%) disagree, saying their bosses’ empathy is merely average.

Flexibility shows a similar gap: 40% of managers consider themselves highly adaptable, yet only 23% of employees agree. The contrast continues when it comes to accountability – while two-thirds of leaders say they take ownership of their decisions, just three in ten employees feel the same. And when it comes to vision and clear direction, 52% of managers believe they provide it, but only a quarter of employees say they actually receive it, according to the RoCoach survey.

The data show that employees value professionalism above all in a leader (23 mentions), followed closely by effective communication (22 mentions) and empathy (20 mentions). Ethics and fairness (16 mentions) and solid work experience (16 mentions) are also frequently cited. This suggests that employees place a higher value on stability, clarity, and integrity than on authority or charisma.

The gap between how leaders see themselves and how they’re perceived by employees goes far beyond image – it directly affects team motivation and trust. According to data from the RoCoach survey, only 36% of Romanian employees feel they receive the support they need from their direct manager, while 68% of leaders believe they’re offering all the necessary support. The discrepancy is just as stark when it comes to communication: only 30.1% of employees say communication is open and transparent, compared to 56.7% of managers who believe they are doing a great job in this area.

When it comes to decision-making, only 19.6% of employees strongly agree that their manager thinks critically and makes well-informed choices. In contrast, 26.8% of leaders believe this about themselves. This gap between how managers view their own performance and how their teams perceive them can lead to frustration and a lack of trust. Over time, these disconnects may impact employee motivation, engagement, and even their decision to stay or leave the company.

”People don’t leave companies, they leave leaders they no longer trust. It’s not just about performance, it’s about how you feel in the presence of the person who leads you. If your manager inspires you, respects you, and treats you with integrity, you’re far more likely to stay, engage, and grow. In today’s increasingly competitive job market, the difference between a strong leader and a weak one isn’t just a nuance – it’s a decisive factor in an organisation’s success”, says Mihai Stănescu, founder of RoCoach, the first coaching company in Romania, with over 20,000 hours of experience in leadership and development strategy.

To bridge these gaps, adds Mihai Stănescu, companies need to support their leaders in reconnecting with their teams through real leadership development programs that include active listening, authentic feedback and taking responsibility as a practice, not just an intention.

With more than 20 years of experience, RoCoach is driving meaningful change by delivering intensive leadership development programmes. Each year, the company facilitates over 85 days of in-person workshops and provides more than 350 hours of coaching for management teams. In the past year alone, RoCoach has partnered with over 25 corporate clients, directly impacting more than 400 managers across Romania. Through these initiatives, RoCoach supports the development of leaders who are better equipped to understand their teams and respond to today’s business challenges.

About RoCoach

RoCoach is the first coaching company in Romania and a pioneer in executive, team, and organisational coaching. For more than 20 years, it has been a trusted partner for leaders and organisations navigating change, supporting over 800 clients in clarifying their vision, enhancing performance, and transforming organisational culture. With a team of 20 accredited facilitators, RoCoach designs and delivers tailored solutions that respond to today’s business challenges and foster effective leadership and strategically aligned teams.