Glassdoor: Employees Value Career Growth and Mentorship in CEOs

Employees highly value career development and mentorship from their company's leadership, according to a new analysis by job and recruiting platform Glassdoor. The analysis examined over 150,000 employee reviews of CEOs from U.S.-based non-intern employees, collected between May 2025 and May 2026, specifically focusing on reviews that mentioned management or senior leadership topics. These reviews were used to determine the winners of Glassdoor's Best CEOs 2026 award, which is based on employee approval ratings of their CEOs. Glassdoor compared the frequency of specific terms used in reviews of the top-rated CEOs against those of executives who did not receive the award, measuring the increase in keyword mentions. Positive reviews for the best CEOs frequently highlighted terms associated with career development. For instance, "mobility" was mentioned over 253% more often in reviews of winning CEOs compared to non-winning CEOs. Other significant increases included "growth opportunities" (+159%) and "career growth" (+111%). This finding aligns with previous research from Glassdoor in 2023, which identified access to internal career opportunities as a primary driver of employee satisfaction in the United States. Beyond career progression, keywords such as "mentorship," "culture," and "work-life balance" were also frequently cited in reviews of the highest-ranked CEOs. Additional strengths identified in top corporate leaders included "coaching," "training," and being "inclusive."

Conversely, employees of CEOs who did not achieve a spot on the Best CEOs 2026 award list frequently reported weaknesses related to communication, company culture, strategic direction, and job security. The analysis found that "communication" was mentioned as a drawback 76% more often among executives who didn't win, while "transparency" was cited as a negative 109% more frequently. These figures highlight a significant contrast in how employees perceive the communication practices of highly-rated versus less-rated leadership. Furthermore, terms like "strategy," "direction," and "alignment" appeared more often as weaknesses in the reviews of unrecognized executives, suggesting a deficit in employee confidence regarding the company's overall path and objectives. This indicates that a clear and well-communicated strategy is crucial for fostering employee trust and satisfaction. The data underscores that effective leadership involves not only fostering employee growth and well-being but also maintaining open lines of communication and providing a clear, confident strategic vision for the organization. The distinction between positive and negative feedback points to specific leadership behaviors that significantly impact employee perception and engagement. The analysis provides actionable insights for leaders aiming to improve their standing in employee reviews and cultivate a more positive and productive work environment. The emphasis on career development, mentorship, and transparent communication suggests that these are critical factors for employee retention and overall organizational success in the current job market.