1Amy EdmondsonPsychological safety and teaming; Harvardleadership expertsUS
A Harvard Business School professor, Amy Edmondson is the leading authority on psychological safety and how teams learn.
2Adam GrantOrganisational psychology; Think Againleadership expertsUS
A Wharton organisational psychologist and bestselling author, Adam Grant is one of the most widely-read voices on work, motivation and rethinking.
3Marshall GoldsmithExecutive coaching and leadershipleadership expertsUS
One of the foremost executive coaches, Marshall Goldsmith is known for practical, behaviour-based leadership development.
4Ram CharanAdviser to CEOs; execution and leadershipleadership expertsIndia / US
A globally-influential adviser to chief executives and boards, Ram Charan is known for his work on execution and business leadership.
5Herminia IbarraLeadership transitions; London Business Schoolleadership expertsSpain / UK
A London Business School professor, Herminia Ibarra is a leading scholar of leadership transitions and how people grow into new roles.
6Lynda GrattonThe future of work and human capital; LBSleadership expertsUK
A London Business School professor, Lynda Gratton is a leading authority on the future of work and long, multi-stage careers.
7Ranjay GulatiPurpose and leadership; Harvardleadership expertsUS / India
A Harvard Business School professor, Ranjay Gulati writes on purpose-driven leadership and how organisations grow with resilience.
8Nitin NohriaLeadership; former dean of Harvard Business Schoolleadership expertsIndia / US
A former dean of Harvard Business School, Nitin Nohria is a leading scholar of leadership and management.
9Simon SinekPurpose-led leadership; Start With Whyleadership expertsUS / UK
An author and speaker best known for Start With Why, Simon Sinek is a widely-followed voice on purpose-led leadership.
10Brene BrownCourage and vulnerability; Dare to Leadleadership expertsUS
A researcher and author, Brene Brown is known for work on courage, vulnerability and daring leadership.
11Liz WisemanMultipliers; leadership and talentleadership expertsUS
A researcher and author of Multipliers, Liz Wiseman studies how the best leaders amplify the intelligence of those around them.
12Fred SwanikerLeadership development; African Leadership Groupleadership expertsGhana
A Ghanaian entrepreneur and educator, Fred Swaniker founded the African Leadership Group to develop a new generation of African leaders.
13Hitendra WadhwaInner mastery and leadership; Columbialeadership expertsIndia / US
A Columbia Business School professor, Hitendra Wadhwa teaches leadership grounded in inner mastery and personal growth.
14Acha LekeAfrican leadership and growth; McKinsey Africaleadership expertsCameroon / South Africa
Chairman of the Africa region at McKinsey and co-founder of the African Leadership Academy, Acha Leke is a leading voice on leadership and growth in Africa.
15Arthur YeungBuilding organisations and talent for the digital ageleadership expertsChina
Building organisations and talent for the digital age
Nominations for the 2027 edition are open.
Know a leadership expert who genuinely leads the field? Put them forward for next year's ranking. Anyone can be nominated, including yourself, and every nomination is judged by the panel against the same published criteria.
Nominate a leadership expert for 2027