🔇 26 of 50 newly appointed professional services CEOs said nothing on LinkedIn about their own transition
7 did not even have a profile. 19 had one but never posted about stepping into the role
That is according to new proprietary research from Highwire analysing CEO transition communications across law, consulting, advisory, HR, IT and accounting firms appointed between 2023 and 2025
In an industry where reputation and relationships are the business, this is a staggering missed opportunity 🎯
A few findings worth sitting with:
📊 Posts about legacy or succession planning generated 16.56% engagement, roughly 2.5 to 3x LinkedIn's 5.19% average. Career journey reflections came next at 13.79%. Audiences want authenticity and a clear narrative bridge between the outgoing and incoming leader
🎉 LinkedIn's celebration format outperformed every other media type at 26.4% engagement. Text posts came second at 19.3%. Video, despite the hype, came last at 3.1%
🔁 Repost rates sit below 1% for most CEO announcements. Organic reach is left on the table
Highwire frames every CEO transition around 3 scenarios, 1. Strategic continuity, 2. Strategic evolution, or 3. Crisis and corrective change, and four communications anchors they call the 4 Cs: 1. Context, 2. Course, 3. Core, and 4. Character
This maps closely to what I see in my own coaching work with C-suite leaders navigating transitions. The strongest transitions answer four questions for every stakeholder:
1. What is staying
2. What is changing
3. Why now, and
4. Why this leader
Get those right and the announcement becomes a credibility multiplier. Get them wrong and speculation fills the vacuum 🕳️
The transition announcement is not a press release. It is the opening chapter of a leader's entire tenure 📖
If you are a board member, CHRO, or incoming CEO preparing for a leadership transition, the full Highwire report is one of the sharpest pieces of thinking I have read on this topic all year.
But don't take my word for it, take it from a recent CEO Transition client of mine:
“As the CEO of an investment firm, I recently went through a significant transition in my career. Navid's executive coaching was instrumental in helping me navigate this change and maximize my leadership impact. Through our sessions, I gained valuable insights into my own leadership style and learned how to effectively engage with the executive leadership team and key stakeholders. Navid's systematic approach and deep understanding of the executive onboarding process allowed him to tailor his support precisely to my specific situation. I would highly recommend Navid to any executive looking to enhance their leadership skills and drive organizational success“
#MasteringExecutiveTransitions #TransitionIQ #CEOTransitions
About Navid Nazemian
Ranked as the world’s #1 Executive Coach by CEO Today for the third year running, I partner with senior leaders to navigate complexity, accelerate performance, and lead through critical transitions. Over the past two decades, I’ve supported hundreds of executives in overcoming unproductive thinking and solving their most complex leadership challenges—helping their organizations build world-class cultures and create lasting value.
If you’d like to reflect on a leadership challenge, an upcoming transition, or how I might support you, you’re very welcome to reply directly to this email.
You can also:
1. Connect with me on LinkedIn for additional leadership insights
2. Explore my international best-selling book "Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide" described by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith as “THE ultimate guide to executive transitions to help leaders achieve their highest potential”
3. Enrol in my newly launched e-Learning programme Mastering Leadership Transitions - my transition methodology in a self-paced format for leaders at every level
4. Work with me on a per-session basis via EveryExpert - a flexible alternative to a full coaching engagement, starting with a complimentary 15-minute Chemistry Call
What's Next? More insights on leadership, transitions, and executive effectiveness are coming your way next week. I’d genuinely value your perspective—feel free to share your reflections by replying to this email. I read every response.
Navid
