The skills and habits aspiring CEOs need to build
The skills and habits aspiring CEOs need to build
Harvard Business Review (HBR) - Leadership; by Vasundhara Sawhney; 6/12/25
It’s no secret that today’s business environment is volatile and unpredictable. ... CEOs have a fresh set of challenges that the standard management playbook is ill-equipped to address. As a result, many are heading for the exit. According to one survey of U.S. companies, nearly 2,000 CEOs announced their departures in 2024—the highest total on record. At the same time, executive recruiters report that fewer people are interested in, or ready to, replace these exiting CEOs. ... [We] reached out to three experts ... [and] specifically asked: What skills and behaviors should aspiring CEOs prioritize on building now to thrive in an increasingly complex world? And how can organizations support them in building these skills? Here are their answers, edited for clarity. ...