If you’re running a startup or SME in Australia or New Zealand, here’s something that might surprise you: your team is probably twice as likely to seek coaching on career ambition compared to their global counterparts. And they’re 25% more likely to want help with confidence, delegation, and networking.
The numbers tell an interesting story. ANZ professionals are nearly 100% more likely than their global peers to seek coaching around “articulating ambition.” Translation? Your team members are actively trying to figure out and communicate their career goals, which could be great news for retention if you’re listening.
“The emphasis on articulating ambition and developing self is likely a response to Australia and New Zealand’s shifting job market, where professionals are actively seeking career progression amid economic uncertainty,” explains Andrew Calvert, Solutions Lead for APAC at EZRA Coaching.
Other standout areas where ANZ professionals are investing in development include:
- Developing Self (30% higher uptake): Your team is focused on personal growth and future-proofing their skills. In a rapidly changing business landscape, this self-awareness could be your competitive advantage.
- Confidence Building (25% higher): ANZ professionals are actively working on self-assurance and building trust with colleagues and stakeholders. For SMEs where every relationship counts, this focus on confidence could translate to better client relationships and internal collaboration.
- Delegation (25% higher): This one’s particularly relevant for growing businesses. Your team recognizes the importance of effective leadership skills like time management and empowering others.
- Networking (25% higher): With ANZ’s business culture heavily relationship-focused, especially in finance, technology, and professional services, this emphasis on networking skills makes perfect sense.
Where ANZ Professionals Actually Excel
Here’s where it gets interesting for business leaders. The data shows ANZ professionals are already outperforming global averages in several key areas:
Delegation tops the list at 11% above the global average. “Australia and New Zealand have increasingly embraced agile working models and flat hierarchies, especially in industries like tech, finance, and professional services,” Calvert notes. “The shift toward hybrid work requires leaders to trust their teams and delegate effectively rather than micromanage.”
Commercial Acumen scores 16% above global average, reflecting the business-savvy nature of professionals in competitive industries. “Australia’s economy is highly service-based, and commercial acumen is a critical skill,” Calvert adds. “Many businesses are facing rising cost-of-living pressures, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, requiring them to be more financially savvy.”
Other strengths include Confidence (10% above global average), Managing Expectations (12% above), and Resilience(above average), which Calvert suggests is indicative of professionals’ improving ability to navigate economic shifts and business challenges.
The gaps that could be costing your business
But the data also reveals some concerning gaps. ANZ professionals score lower than global averages in several critical areas:
Decision Making comes in 10% below the global average. “The complexity of modern business challenges, combined with economic uncertainty, means professionals are facing tougher, more ambiguous decisions,” Calvert explains. “Plus, businesses in Australia and New Zealand are under increasing regulatory and compliance pressures, making decision-making a more cautious and bureaucratic process.”
Managing Conflict is also 10% below global average. “With remote and hybrid work, conflict resolution has become more complex, as misunderstandings arise more easily in digital communication,” Calvert notes. “The Australian business culture tends to prefer direct but diplomatic communication, but structured conflict resolution training is not always prioritised.”
Influence scores 9% below global average, indicating a gap in professionals’ ability to persuade and drive change. For startups and SMEs where every team member needs to be an advocate for the business, this could be a significant limitation.
Other development areas include Accountability & Achievement, Leading for Diversity, and Resource Management, all critical skills for growing businesses.
What this means for Your business
For SME and startup leaders, this data offers several actionable insights:
Your ANZ team likely excels at delegation, commercial thinking, and managing expectations. These are valuable assets, especially in client-focused businesses.
Consider targeted training or coaching in decision-making, conflict resolution, and influence. These skills become increasingly important as your business scales.
With ANZ professionals nearly twice as likely to focus on articulating ambition, regular career development conversations could be a powerful retention tool.
Your team is already prioritizing this, so supporting confidence-building initiatives could pay dividends in client relationships and internal collaboration.
“Understanding these trends enables ANZ organisations to benchmark their development offering against these national averages,” Calvert concludes. “Our data is certainly food for thought as the workplace continues to evolve, and every year new challenges present themselves to both management and workers across Australia.”
For growing businesses, the message is clear: your team is actively investing in their professional development, particularly in areas that directly impact business success. The question is whether you’re supporting them in the right places and addressing the gaps that could be holding your business back.
The research from EZRA Coaching is based on data from over 5,300 professionals across 180 organisations. For business leaders, this data offers a roadmap for understanding where your team’s strengths lie and where they might need support.
The good news is that now you know exactly where to focus your efforts.
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