A majority of advisory team leaders say they feel confident in their business acumen – but even more still struggle with the demands of managing people, time, and technology, according to new research released by the Investments & Wealth Institute.
The Institute’s 2025 Team and Business Leader Research Study, conducted in partnership with Logica Research, surveyed 240 wealth and investment professionals overseeing client-facing teams.
The Institute, founded in 1985, provides continuing education to more than 30,000 wealth professionals annually across more than 40 countries.
The report found despite 84 percent of respondents IWI surveyed identifying as strong business leaders, 93 percent reported facing some form of leadership or management challenge.
Among the top challenges cited: finding qualified professionals (59 percent), having enough time to support team members (49 percent), and developing technical skills within the team (30 percent).
Stress is also a factor, with just over half of team leaders (51 percent) acknowledging that leadership roles are stressful.
“This research provides a clear view of the challenges team leaders are facing and how we as an organization can support them,” Sean Walters, chief executive officer of the Investments & Wealth Institute, said in a statement unveiling the findings.
It doesn't seem as if the staffing gap will close anytime soon, with only 48 percent of respondents saying they have enough team members today. Just 34 percent feel they have the resources they need to effectively manage team-related issues.
Looking ahead, 60 percent of team leaders plan to expand headcount in the next six months. Many are prioritizing investments in technology (54 percent), client experience (51 percent), and artificial intelligence (43 percent). Marketing and communications were also cited as growth areas.
When asked about the specific skills their teams need to build, respondents pointed to using technology to drive efficiency, enhancing service delivery, and integrating AI tools into workflows, as well as marketing.
The report also references separate research conducted earlier this year by the Institute and CEG Insights, which found that teams with at least one advisor certified through the Institute manage, on average, $267 million more in assets than those without.
According to that study, Institute-certified advisors are more likely to use advanced CRM systems, implement structured mentoring, and optimize internal collaboration practices.
“Our findings present a clear lesson,” Walters said. “Certifications are strategic enablers in the team advisory space.”
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