MarketWatch reported that U.S. CEO’s have grown more pessimistic about business conditions than at any time since the 2008 recession began, and most expect little improvement in the U.S. economy in 2012, according to a survey of influential CEOs released Thursday.

The article states that the latest poll of Business Council members showed that nearly 60% of participants said business conditions in their particular industries are worsening. In the last survey in May 2011, just 8.3% of the respondents indicated that conditions had worsened.

Survey respondents cited a lack of leadership and a willingness in Washington to make tough policy decisions as a major issue.