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Disrupting Aerospace & Defense: Evolving Approaches to Leadership

By Jon Barney, Lisa J. Caswell and Bailey Hallingby
October 2025

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At a glance

  • Established and newer players are looking outside the traditional boundaries of A&D for their future leaders, in sectors such as defense tech and industrial technology.
  • Industry executives today need expertise in leading through a market that is embracing rapid technological change. The ability to anticipate, adapt and pivot in a dynamic environment is emerging as essential for leaders in this sector.
  • Stakeholders are seeking leaders who are master communicators and, in total, have a more visible overall profile. A sector that was once seen as more opaque has become more visible and modern.

The competitive landscape in the aerospace and defense (A&D) sector is evolving rapidly. While a handful of major firms still lead the way, supported by network of suppliers and providers, a number of midsized players — such as like Anduril, SpaceX, Shield AI and Palantir — are disrupting this sector, gaining prominence with fast, cost-effective solutions. Meanwhile, the industry’s ecosystem is widening to include defense tech, space, government services, R&D services, industrial technology and infrastructure, all while a growing number of private equity firms are entering this space with an eye on strong value opportunities.

As a result, the leadership requirements are changing. More companies and their boards in this industry are looking more broadly beyond the traditional markers for leadership. They increasingly recognize the value of looking beyond industry background to find leaders who have different skillsets, coupled with the leadership traits needed to guide their organizations forward.

Below we look at three key trends.

A focus on entrepreneurial leadership

Organizations within this sector have long been accustomed to valuing stability in leadership succession — either experience inside their companies, or standard industry backgrounds. But today, both established and newer players are looking outside the traditional boundaries of A&D for their future leaders, in sectors such as defense tech and industrial technology. They are seeking executive talent with an agile, entrepreneurial mindset, in order to drive innovation, navigate uncertainty, adapt quickly and embrace technologies like AI.

Some are actively looking beyond the A&D vertical for leaders in adjacent sectors (or beyond) who can bring a fresh perspective. Others are looking inside their own companies for less experienced “leap-frog” candidates whose resumes may not be as built out, but who have demonstrated strong leadership capabilities a level below the C-suite. Have you built something? has become a key question as companies in this sector look for effective leaders.

Strategic agility and results orientation

Leaders today need expertise in leading through a market that is embracing rapid technological change in areas such as AI, autonomy and advanced manufacturing at the same time that it competes within a rapidly changing geopolitical and political environment. The ability to anticipate, adapt and pivot in a dynamic environment is emerging as essential for leaders in this sector.

Leaders with experience managing smaller, more agile teams (such as during post-COVID austerity) are gaining prominence. These evolving skillsets and experiences are proving particularly valuable in all market segments and notably with private equity and venture-backed firms, which are seeking opportunities in this sector for fast value creation.

Modern communications skills

Leaders in the A&D industry today are expected to be more visible and communicative than in the past. Stakeholders — including employees, investors, customers and board directors — are looking to them as master communicators who can leverage social media, engage stakeholders on internal platforms. In total, a sector that was once seen as opaque is seeking to build a more visible and modern overall profile.

• • •

A new breed of leaders is emerging in the aerospace, defense and national security sectors —strategic, entrepreneurial and skilled in modern communication. As the industry evolves rapidly and competition intensifies, these leaders will be key to their organizations’ ability to aim to innovate, grow and survive.

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