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CEO Succession and Leadership Development

An organization is only as strong as its pipeline of leaders. We share insights on common challenges and opportunities in leadership development and succession planning.

Our Latest Insights

From CEO and board succession to developing the next generation of leaders, we offer perspectives on effective assessment, succession planning processes and the critical role of organizational culture.

Six Rules for Getting C-Suite Succession Right

Developing robust C-suite succession pipelines is harder but more important than ever. Here are six rules for excelling at succession.
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Creating Value with CEO Succession Planning: Why Private Equity Needs a New Leadership Approach

As deals get bigger, holds get longer and exit paths become less predictable, PE firms that prepare for succession in advance can reduce disruption, protect momentum and preserve exit value.
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Board Leader Succession Planning: 4 Essential Steps for Chair and Lead Director Transitions

The independent board leader is the lynchpin to an effective board, but transitions are too often left to chance. Here’s how boards can up their transition game.
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2025 CEO Transitions in Europe

Our annual analysis of CEO transitions, tenure and backgrounds among 590 of the top European companies during 2025.
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The CEO Moment

Explore the latest CEO transition trends, insights and practical guidance to understand what’s shaping today’s transitions and how to make this pivotal moment count.
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2025 S&P 1500 CEO Transitions

Our annual analysis of CEO transitions, tenure and backgrounds among S&P 1500 companies, including breakdowns by large-, mid- and small-cap companies.
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5 Pitfalls That Derail CEOs in the First 24 Months: How CEOs Can Avoid the Most Costly Missteps

The early days of a CEO’s tenure are a decisive window for value creation. Here’s how the best performing CEOs set themselves up for success.
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The CEO’s First Year Isn’t a Victory Lap. It’s the Board’s Next Test.

We highlight five board best practices for overseeing and supporting a CEO navigating their critical first year — and putting them on firm footing for long-term success.
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In Volatile Times, Select CEOs for Strategic Advantage, Not Safety

The “safe” approach to succession can be counterproductive. Here are three strategies for boards to transform CEO selection into strategic advantage.
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The 5 Stages of the PE Investment Cycle: The Human Capital Decisions That Matter Most

A guide to the human capital decisions that drive value creation throughout the entire PE investment life cycle.
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CEO Transitions: How to Avoid a Bumpy Exit

Current and former CEOs share their views on CEO tenure, the elements of a smooth transition and life after the CEO role.
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15 New CEOs, One Turbulent Year: The Top 50 Consumer Products Companies Bet Big on Rapid Change

2025 saw the highest CEO turnover in years for the consumer products industry. What trends are driving this period of leadership change?
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CEO Transitions in India: A Five-Year Look

An analysis of CEO transitions within the BSE 200 companies between 2020 and 2025.
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The Leadership Odyssey

An HBR top-10 read on emotional intelligence, our article tracks the journey to a more empowering leadership style.
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Succeeding with succession in private professional services firms

Twelve core principles for successful CEO succession planning in a private professional services firm with provide detailed recommendations on each.
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The Life Cycle of a CEO

In this groundbreaking new book, Claudius Hildebrand and Robert Stark combine unprecedented research—analyzing the individual performance of every twenty-first century CEO of the S&P 500 and accompanying macroeconomic and industry cycles—with 100 in-depth interviews to reveal the distinctive life cycle of a CEO.

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Accelerating women in leadership: How far can we go?

The path forward for women is one of open-ended possibility when leaders and organizations take action.
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Overcoming the Common Obstacles: Five Critical Steps for Best-in-Class Chief Legal Officer Succession

Here is our advice for overcoming challenging internal dynamics and underappreciated minefields to achieve effective CLO succession planning.
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Do you have what it takes to be a CEO? A guide for CFOs and senior finance executives

CEOs and senior business leaders who have previously served as CFO offer their advice to financial leaders who aspire to become chief executive.
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Five Executive Talent Priorities for Oil and Gas: A Board and Leadership Guide

Oil and gas companies face a narrowing pipeline of potential C-suite successors. Here’s how they can improve their succession odds.
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Measure of Leadership: CEOs and Directors on Navigating Change

In our first Measure of Leadership report, more than 2,000 CEOs and board directors reveal their highest priorities and how they are navigating uncertainty.
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Advice to New CEOs Building Their Team: Lead with Purpose, Embody Culture & Be Decisive

Our advice for new CEOs for building their team and advancing their agenda.
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How CEOs Build Confidence in Their Leadership

Our research finds that it takes two years for CEOs to earn stakeholder confidence; but leaders who focus methodically on gaining it can generate remarkable increases in company value.
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Leadership for a Complex World: Planning for the CEO of the Future

With the business environment becoming even more complex and challenging, more is being asked of CEOs. What are the attributes of effective CEOs in this new context?
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PE Firms Should Actively Plan for Portfolio Company CEO Succession

For PE-backed software companies, the odds are you will have a CEO change during your hold period — whether you're planning one or not. In this article, we look at how companies can prepare.
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