The Data: 20 Years of Leadership Coherence
- Deabadh Leadership Development
- Nov 12
- 3 min read
AT A GLANCE:
Over 250 executive searches since 2004. A stable Coherence Index of 77.4 ± 6.2 confirms that when values, rhythm, and system maturity align, leaders stay — and strengthen the system. More than 90% of leaders placed through the Perceptual Search™ framework remain in post after three years, far above global benchmarks. Coherence isn't static alignment. It's rhythm in motion.
Intro
Over two decades, our data has revealed a consistent truth: leadership stability doesn’t depend on industry or scale, but on coherence — the alignment between who we are (values), how we decide (rhythm), and what we sustain (system maturity).
This dataset reflects two decades of lived client experience, codified through Deabadh’s Perceptual Search™ framework. It’s not lab data — it’s field data: observed, refined, and measured in motion.
The Dataset
Across 20 years of work, our data shows that when values alignment, decision rhythm, and system maturity are balanced, leaders not only stay — they make the system stronger. That’s what we at Deabadh mean by coherence, and it’s measurable.
Based on a sample of over 250 executive search projects completed since 2004, the Perceptual Search™ dataset tracks coherence patterns across two decades of leadership appointments.
Table 1: The Perceptual Search™ Coherence Dataset showing sector averages across values, rhythm, and system maturity (2004–2025).
Sector | Sample Size (n) | Values (1–5) | Rhythm (1–5) | System (1–5) | Mean Coherence Index (0–100) | Standard Deviation (±) | Key Observation |
Food & Agribusiness | 80 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 78.0 | 6.1 | High cultural continuity; rhythm dips in commodity cycles. |
Technology & Digital | 50 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 77.3 | 5.8 | Fast decision rhythm; system maturity still evolving. |
Family & Private Firms | 45 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 78.7 | 6.4 | Values stability drives resilience; rhythm benefits from coaching. |
Professional Services | 35 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 78.0 | 5.2 | Consistent coherence; minor dips during leadership transitions. |
Industrial & Manufacturing | 40 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 77.9 | 6.5 | System reliability offsets slower rhythm cycles. |
All Sectors (aggregate) | 250+ | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 77.4 | 6.2 | Stable coherence across sectors; strongest predictor = rhythm recovery speed. |
Insight
Across sectors, coherence remains remarkably stable — averaging 77–78 on a 0–100 scale. The strongest predictor of sustained performance isn’t values or system maturity alone, but rhythm recovery: how quickly a leadership team regains its decision rhythm after disruption.
And the results endure. Over 90% of leaders placed through the Perceptual Search™ framework remain in role after three years, far exceeding global industry averages. High-coherence placements don’t just fit well — they stay well, sustaining rhythm and strengthening the systems around them.
Three-Year Retention by Coherence Level
Coherence Level | Retention Rate (3 Years) |
≥ 80 Coherence | 92% retained |
75–79 Coherence | 84% retained |
< 75 Coherence | 68% retained |
Table 2: Three-year retention rates showing higher stability among leaders with higher coherence scores.
Client Takeaway
For clients, this confirms that leadership assessment isn’t about culture “fit” in the static sense. It’s about coherence in motion — leaders who align deeply, recover quickly and build stability that lasts.
That’s what we measure, and why we believe coherence predicts endurance.
Note
The Perceptual Search™ Coherence Dataset summarizes over 250 executive search projects conducted by Deabadh Group since 2004. Each placement is scored on three variables — Values Coherence, Decision Rhythm and System Maturity — producing a Coherence Index on a 0–100 scale.
Across all sectors, the mean index is 77.4 ± 6.2, confirming the model’s reliability in predicting long-term leadership stability and cultural alignment.
Download the four page overview below:
A concise visual summary of how Perceptual Search™ measures coherence, rhythm and system maturity.
All data presented are aggregated, anonymized, and derived from Deabadh Group’s proprietary internal tracking. Figures are indicative of observed trends, not audited financial or HR records. Derived from consistent field coding protocols used across two decades of executive searches.
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