Survey Reveals Untapped Leadership Potential in Internal Audit Teams
A Wolters Kluwer TeamMate survey of over 2,400 internal audit professionals found that many teams are not fully utilizing the leadership potential within their ranks. Nearly 86% of respondents reported having at least one team member whose capabilities were underused. The findings come from a webinar held on July 14, 2026, which explored how to identify and develop future leaders in internal audit functions. The survey also highlighted that recognition tends to favor charismatic extroverts over other valuable personality types such as analytical introverts or diplomatic mediators. Structural barriers like undefined leadership expectations (34.7%) and visibility bias (24.4%) were cited as key obstacles to growth within the profession. Jim Pelletier, Wolters Kluwer TeamMate product manager lead, emphasized that while potential exists in current teams, there is a need for better coaching and development structures. The results suggest an industry aware of its talent pool but lacking mechanisms to fully develop it.
Topics: employee recognition internal audit leadership development workplace culture