The role of the CEO is becoming increasingly complex. Once CEOs see the future, the future changes. We see three ever-dynamic challenges facing CEOs today:
1. Transforming the business while maintaining strong organization performance
Successful future CEOs must be able to address two competing and ever-intersecting demands: optimizing near-term performance and transforming the organization for the future. This is easier said than done. Versatility is essential to pivoting between what’s here and now and what’s anticipated five years, five months and even five days from now. A successful CEO will be ready to flex between performing and transforming with agility.
2. Leading the enterprise and the ecosystem
Over 85% of CEOs interviewed for our CEOs for the Future study told us the historical “line” between business and society has been blurred. As a result, CEOs must now be able to respond to multiple stakeholders simultaneously: shareholders, employees, communities and their environment. Managing and leading in a highly interconnected environment requires leaders to understand the business more comprehensively. Realizing that leadership is about “we” instead of “me,” a CEO’s new responsibilities include looking beyond considerations of just their company to the drivers of short- and long-term business success for both the company and its ecosystem.
3. Delivering for people, planet and profit
Many successful CEOs believe that business and society are coming together. Therefore, businesses must achieve twin goals: creating economic value while generating social impact, both internal and external. Successful CEOs realize that the “opposed ideas” of profit and purpose aren’t mutually exclusive and changes must be made to embrace social values. They know they must find a way to release the innovative potential of the business and optimize both economic and social value at the same time. By focusing on the impact of their actions, leaders can harness their organization’s full potential to create value for all stakeholders. They can embody the leadership that serves the "go-across" athleticism needed to live ESG.
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