Qualtrics Leadership & Management

Qualtrics encourages managers to lead through transparency, continuous feedback and employee development. Rather than focusing solely on performance management, managers are expected to help employees grow through regular coaching, Career Action Plans, mentorship and ongoing career conversations. This approach aligns with the company's TACOS values.and is reinforced by Qualtrics' own Employee Experience technology, which leaders use to understand employee feedback and continually improve the workplace. Under CEO Zig Serafin, the company has also emphasized responsible AI innovation, customer-centricity and a people-first culture that empowers employees to do their best work while shaping the future of Experience Management. 

• Managers prioritize coaching and career development: Managers encourage regular career conversations, mentorship and Career Action Plans while helping employees identify opportunities to expand their skills through challenging projects. One software engineer shared that working alongside experienced teammates accelerated both technical and professional growth, illustrating the coaching-oriented leadership style employees experience across the organization.
• Leadership emphasizes transparency and employee listening: A defining aspect of leadership at Qualtrics is its commitment to listening to employees. The company uses its own Employee Experience platform internally to gather employee feedback, identify opportunities for improvement and inform decisions around benefits, workplace programs and employee development. This creates an environment where managers have access to real-time insights that help them better support their teams while reinforcing a culture built on openness and continuous improvement.
• A CEO focused on innovation and people: Since becoming CEO in 2022, Zig Serafin has positioned Qualtrics around helping organizations become more human through AI-powered Experience Management while continuing to invest in employees and customers. Under his leadership, the company has accelerated innovations including XM for AI, which acts like an intelligence assistant, while consistently emphasizing that AI should enhance—not replace—human connections. Serafin regularly speaks about combining technological innovation with empathy, trust and exceptional employee experiences, reinforcing a leadership philosophy that values both business performance and people.
• External signals:
  • CEO approval: CEO Zig Serafin receives approval ratings from employees, reflecting confidence in the company's leadership and strategic direction. (Glassdoor)
  • Leadership ratings: Employees consistently give Qualtrics positive ratings for senior management, highlighting confidence in leadership and organizational direction. (Glassdoor)
  • People-first workplace: Great Place to Work survey results indicate that a majority of employees believe management is honest and ethical in its business practices, reinforcing trust in company leadership. (Great Place to Work)

Bottom line: Qualtrics managers lead by combining transparency, coaching and continuous employee development with a strong commitment to listening. Supported by Career Action Plans, regular feedback, mentorship opportunities and leadership that emphasizes innovation alongside employee experience, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their careers while receiving the guidance and support needed to succeed.