The experience trap

Viewed in Egon Zehnder insights Many boards still begin succession discussions the same way: “Let’s find someone who has already done the job.” It sounds rational. It feels safe. But in today’s environment, proven experience can become a trap. Why? Because markets, technologies, regulation, talent expectations, and AI are changing faster than old playbooks can… More

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The rise of the Interim CEO

Viewed in Korn Ferry insights Something new is happening at the top of companies. Interim CEOs are no longer rare emergency solutions.They are becoming part of how organizations manage transformation, uncertainty, and leadership transitions. As of May 28, 291 companies currently have an Interim CEO at the top. The list itself is quite revealing. And… More

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AI makes human leadership more valuable

Viewed in Heidrick & Struggles Insights AI is getting better at analysis, reporting, coordination, and automation. Fast. And you can increasingly see it in org charts. AI, data, and technology roles are moving up. But so are roles connected to people, transformation, governance, culture, and trust. The organizations moving fastest with AI are not removing… More

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Same AI. Different Outcomes. Here’s Why.

Viewed in McKinsey & Company Insights Most companies have access to the same tools.Same models. Same platforms. Same promises. Yet the outcomes are wildly different. The gap is not technology.It’s how companies use it and how fast they move. The leaders aren’t doing more experiments.They’re rewiring how the business works. AI is not a side… More

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Growth, speed, and resilience now come from technology

Viewed in Russell Reynolds Associates insights Not as support functions.As drivers of growth. In many organizations, tech still plays defense.Keeping systems running. Managing risk. Supporting operations. In others, it’s different. Technology, data, and digital sit closer to the CEO.Closer to customers.Closer to revenue. How is the role evolving? Today’s top tech leader often spans:technology, data,… More

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People analytics is moving up

Viewed in Korn Ferry insights Across the Global Fortune 500, 1 in 10 companies now has a dedicated People / Talent Analytics leader at the top of the org. A quiet shift. But a real one. Most organizations already have what they need.  Hiring data  Performance signals  Engagement Insight  Exit feedbackThe opportunity is not more data.It’s bringing it together…. More

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The return of the COO: From operator to orchestrator

Viewed in Russell Reynolds For years, the COO role came and went. In some organizations, it disappeared. In others, it felt optional. That cycle is now reversing. In 2025, COO appointments reached a seven-year high across listed companies globally, with 146 new COOs, up from 130 the year before. At the same time, departures fell… More

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Who sits above the CEO?

Viewed in Heidrick & Struggles At the very top of the org chart sits a small, steady group. The people who hire, challenge, and replace CEOs. The “boss’ bosses.” Their profile is more consistent than it looks and quietly evolving. Experience remains the price of entry Boards still value experience above all else. Nearly three-quarters… More

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AI is now CEO-led. Where do you stand?

Viewed in BCG A recent survey from Boston Consulting Group offers a useful snapshot of how AI is evolving at the top of the org charts and how leadership posture is starting to diverge. Signals shaping the market AI investment is becoming structural Spending is set to double, and ~94% of companies plan to continue… More

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M&A is back: mega deals, AI targets and a new VP M&A mandate

Viewed in McKinsey Global deal value rebounded 43 percent in 2025 to $4.7 trillion. Mega-deals above $10 billion surged. TMT regained the top spot. Private equity is sitting on $2.2 trillion of dry powder. Divestitures reached $1.6 trillion. This is not a short-term bounce. It reflects deeper repositioning. Secure exposure and increase speed Across sectors,… More

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The CFO role is expanding and the stakes are rising

Viewed in Russell Reynolds CFO turnover reached a seven-year high in 2025. Russell Reynolds Associates recorded 316 new CFO appointments globally, including a record 106 in the S&P 500. Departures remained elevated, and in the FTSE 100 average tenure fell below five years. This is not instability. It reflects a role that has expanded significantly… More

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US CEO turnover accelerates and organizations adapt

Viewed in Spencer Stuart Leadership transitions at the top of listed companies are accelerating and, these changes propagate through the organization. When a CEO changes, reporting lines shift, strategy is refined, capital allocation priorities move, and the ripple effects reach far beyond the C-suite. In 2025, that ripple effect was particularly visible. A total of… More

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New job titles are early signals of real change

Viewed on the a16z newsletter Across industries, meaningful change rarely starts with org charts or strategy decks. It often starts with language. Job titles are among the earliest clues that something important is shifting. 1. New titles appear before org charts change When a role is renamed or newly created, it often reflects work that… More

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The five new rules for procurement leaders

Viewed in BCG For today’s procurement leaders, the first 100 days are no longer a learning period. They are a credibility window. In a context of margin pressure, volatility, and fast-moving AI, the CPO is expected to deliver visible value quickly and earn the right to modernize the function. This is now a C-suite role… More

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Onboarding a new CEO is a team sport

Viewed in Spencer Stuart Appointing a new CEO is not the finish line. It is the start of a critical phase of leadership work for the board and the executive team. Research and experience show that many new CEOs are first-timers in the role, and a significant share will underperform without the right support. The… More

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AI reality check: What executives actually see

Viewed in Newsweek  – Print or Share AI is progressing steadily, not explosively. Executives are broadly optimistic, pragmatic, and focused on value creation. The organizations that benefit most are those that adopt AI deliberately, align it with real business needs, and keep humans firmly in the loop. 87% see AI as an opportunity Despite alarming headlines,… More

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The evolving role of the government affairs leader

Viewed in Heidrick & Struggles In a context of accelerating political, regulatory, and societal change, many companies are re-examining the place of government affairs within the executive team. What was once peripheral has become increasingly strategic. Data from The Official Board shows that 74% of the Global Fortune 500 now include one or more government… More

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Internal promotion: Making leadership change a growth engine

Viewed in Egon Zehnder Executive succession is no longer an occasional governance exercise. With executives staying in role for roughly three years on average and CEO turnover accelerating, leadership teams are in constant evolution. In this context, a simple but often overlooked reality emerges: succession works best when it is treated as a continuous, human-centered… More

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AI as a leadership multiplier: winning in the agentic era

Viewed on Time These insights, authored by a senior leader from a world’s leading global bank, also a large enterprise with deep penetration of digital, data, and AI roles at the top of its organization, offers a pragmatic and optimistic playbook for C-suite leaders navigating the rise of agentic AI. The core message is clear:… More

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AI is arriving. Roles are evolving.

Viewed in BCG Most organizations now use AI daily, but often as a patch on legacy processes. This creates a readiness gap: employees feel unprepared, leaders face skill shortages, and value capture remains uneven. This moment calls for leadership teams to guide the shift with clarity, balance, and pragmatism. 1. Reimagine work, not just tools… More

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