Thought Leadership | CEO Search

CEO performance has been redefined by rising expectations and growing complexity. To show this transformation, Egon Zehnder profiled six exceptional CEOs who are working through these challenges.

Survey of nearly 1,000 global CEOs reveals recent social and economic challenges drove unprecedented levels of self-reflection and development – changing CEO perspectives and the leadership role.

Luis Giolo overviews critical factors companies must pay attention to when recruiting their new CEO.

According to German Herrera, U.S. managing partner, nearly three-quarters of CEO appointments the firm facilitates are internal. "Bringing somebody from the outside directly into the CEO role is very traumatic. Unless there’s a big change, a big turnaround, or a significant issue, boards don’t want to take that risk," he explains.

As German Herrera, Egon Zehnder's U.S. leader, highlights in Fortune, it is essential to move away from checkboxes of experience and focus on traits such as curiosity, self-learning, the ability to connect the dots, and more.

Learn expert insight, tips, and best practices for developing your family business succession plan from the expert family planning consultants at Egon Zehnder.

Effective succession planning is more than just preparing for leadership changes—it's a strategic investment in your organization's future. By fostering leadership development, mitigating risks, and ensuring business continuity, succession planning helps companies build resilience, retain top talent, and maintain a competitive edge. Discover why organizations that prioritize this process are better positioned to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.

A recent Egon Zehnder study reveals that 80% of CEOs foresee "groundbreaking systemic changes" and emphasize collaboration with governments to address societal challenges. Climate change and AI are highlighted as key areas for fostering cooperation and driving positive transformation.

A majority of CEOs say they expect “groundbreaking systemic changes” within the next decade.

This month we sat down with our new CEO, Francesco Buquicchio, who graciously shared insights about the direction and requirements of leadership today.

CEO succession planning often starts up to two years before the transition occurs. Do you have a strategy in place to support your leadership team?

472 CEOs share their views in our new study: The CEO Response