Overview
- A Kofa study estimates an average shortfall of 28,180 management specialists in 2025, underscoring persistent hiring gaps across German firms.
- Only 14% of surveyed non-managers would accept a leadership role if offered, 40% would consider it under certain conditions, and 43% reject management duties.
- Top deterrents cited are high workload (77%), heavy responsibility (75%) and strains on private life (73%), with limited financial appeal and loss of colleague relationships each at 48%.
- Among those open to leadership, higher pay is the strongest draw (95%), followed by greater autonomy and decision-making scope (85%).
- Authors recommend part-time or home-office options, deputy roles, mentoring and coaching, while noting official vacancy data likely undercount hybrid team-lead positions.