Understanding leaders means understanding the world changing around them.
We examine how technology, industry shifts, globalization and organizational change are redefining leadership.
Board & governance
The CHRO Paradox: Why HR Leaders Are More Vital Yet Less Welcome in Boardrooms
CHRO-background directors dropped from 2.6% to 1.2% of new board appointments—a 54% decline—even as the role became the third fastest-growing C-suite position. What's driving this disconnect?
10 min read
AI & search
The 2025 CHRO Agenda: AI Transformation, Workforce Planning, and the Skills Revolution
54% of CHROs now rank AI as critical to their function. As artificial intelligence reshapes every aspect of work, HR leaders face a defining moment: lead the transformation or be displaced by it.
9 min read
Leadership
The CHRO Turnover Crisis: Why 15.5% of Fortune 200 HR Leaders Left in 2024
CHRO turnover hit 15.5% in Fortune 200 companies last year—a 36% increase. As the role expands faster than any other C-suite position, organizations struggle to retain HR leaders. What's driving the exodus?
8 min read
AI & search
The 9.3% Problem: Why Corporate Boards Refresh at a Glacial Pace
S&P 500 boards add just one new director per year on average—a 9.3% refreshment rate. In an era of rapid change, this stagnation creates governance risk that boards are failing to address.
10 min read
AI & search
Beyond Box-Checking: The Next Generation of Board Skills Matrices
73% of S&P 500 companies now publish board skills matrices—up from 50% four years ago. But most matrices fail to drive strategic composition decisions. Here's what separates performative disclosure from genuine governance tools.
10 min read
Board & governance
Term Limits vs. Retirement Age: Which Board Refreshment Mechanism Actually Works?
Only 9% of S&P 500 boards have formal term limits, while 62% enforce mandatory retirement ages. Which approach better balances experience with fresh perspectives?
8 min read
Board & governance
The 24-Hour CEO Succession Playbook: What Boards Must Know Before Crisis Strikes
One-quarter of board directors don't know their company's emergency CEO plan. Here's the comprehensive playbook for handling sudden leadership departures within 24 hours.
8 min read
AI & search
The 44% Problem: Why Nearly Half of New CEOs Come from Outside
In 2025, 44% of CEO appointments came from external candidates—the highest rate in recent history. This signals a systemic failure in leadership development that boards can no longer ignore.
9 min read
Board & governance
The Rise of Interim CEOs: Why One-Third of New Chief Executives Are Temporary
In 2025, 33% of newly appointed CEOs started as interim leaders—up from just 9% last year. What's driving the rise of the 'CEO gig economy' and what does it mean for succession planning?
6 min read