Free Whitepapers

Research & Reports

Research-backed insights on leadership development, talent management, and the future of learning. Designed to inform strategy and sharpen your business case for L&D investment.

3 Reports Free Download Research-Backed

Who these reports are for

These aren't thought leadership fluff. They're research documents designed for L&D professionals who need to make strategic decisions, justify investment, and stay ahead of where the field is heading.

Strategic Decision-Making

For L&D directors and CHROs who need research to guide program design, technology investment, and workforce development strategy.

Business Case Building

Data, frameworks, and language you can bring into leadership conversations to secure budget and buy-in for L&D initiatives.

Future-Proofing

Trend analysis and expert insights to help you anticipate where L&D, AI, and talent management are heading — and position your organization ahead of the curve.

Research & Insights

All 3 Reports

Research on the challenges, trends, and evidence-based approaches shaping leadership development today.

Research & Insights

The Future of Talent Management

Free whitepaper on the future of talent management. Six AI and future-of-work trends, insights from 10+ industry experts, and actionable strategies for HR and L&D leaders.

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Research & Insights

Personalization in Leadership Development

Free whitepaper on personalized leadership development. Step-by-step guide to moving your organization from one-size-fits-all training to individualized learning programs.

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Research & Insights

State of Leadership Development 2024

Free research report on leadership development challenges in 2024. Identifies the top people management gaps organizations face and offers evidence-based remedies.

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More free resources from Risely

L&D Frameworks

Practical frameworks for designing programs, evaluating leaders, and building industry-specific development blueprints.

Browse Frameworks →

Skill Assessments

Measure where individuals actually stand across 83 workplace skills. Personalized reports powered by Merlin.

Browse Assessments →

Frequently asked questions

Are these whitepapers free?

Yes, all whitepapers are permanently free. We ask for your email so we can notify you of new research, but there is no paywall or subscription required.

Who are these reports for?

HR directors, L&D leaders, and organizational development professionals who need research-backed evidence to shape strategy, present to leadership, or understand where the market is heading.

How current is the research?

Our research draws on primary data from Risely users — over 3,000 coached across 40+ organizations — as well as synthesized insights from practitioner interviews, industry benchmarks, and published research. Each report notes its data sources and period.

Can I cite these in internal presentations?

Yes. Our research is designed to be shareable and citable. Each whitepaper includes clear attribution so you can reference findings in business cases, strategy documents, and board presentations.

See the research in action

The patterns described in these reports — the skills gap, the feedback deficit, the behavior change problem — are exactly what Merlin is built to solve. Try Merlin free and experience the research firsthand.

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