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The CEO Moment

Turning transition into strategic advantage

Every CEO transition is a defining moment — marked by intense visibility, real risk and deep personal significance for leaders and boards alike. As geopolitical uncertainty and technological disruption raise the stakes, boards must ensure new CEOs learn fast, adapt quickly and focus on the critical levers that drive early impact. 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 truly count.

Explore CEO transition trends in your market

What leaders are saying

Only a quarter of CEOs say they shared a transition timeline with the board

25%

More than half of former CEOs (54%) say their transition was ”smooth”

54%

Less than 10% of former CEOs we surveyed took another CEO role

7%

The biggest risks are all fueled by the same factor: poor or insufficient communication.”

There has to be a clear plan on timing, succession, and expectations (on both sides). Too many times, these things are not clearly thought out and/or communicated to the company.”

The success of the transition depends mostly on planning how to do it smoothly. There must be clear communication about how the company will move from the existing management to the next.”

Navigating uncertainty is the biggest risk and probably also where things most often go wrong. CEOs may enter an environment where expectations are high, and any misstep can lead to doubts about their capability, affecting their credibility.”

Turning CEO transitions into strategic inflection points

These high‑stakes transitions demand more than a smooth handover, because the risks of getting them wrong are significant and real. Boards that prepare early, shape the agenda, and support the new leader from day one create the conditions for executive success.


Advice for the CEO moment