In 2025 CEOs weren’t fired for performance...it’s failed transitions that cost CEOs their jobs 🔥
Forget everything you thought you knew about #C-suite stability. The C-suite shuffle is on hyperdrive, & it’s a seismic shift in how #Boards are approaching transitions
A Harvard Business Review article, based on new research from The Conference Board, Egon Zehnder, & Semler Brossy reveals a shocking truth: High-performing organizations (top 3 quartiles of S&P 500) are nearly as likely to undergo a CEO transition (12% turnover rate) as underperforming ones (14%)
The old playbook of replacing a CEO only when a crisis hits is officially dead 💀. Boards are getting more proactive, treating CEO succession not just as a corrective measure, but as a strategic lever to navigate an "era defined by disruption"
Here's what’s driving this tectonic shift, & what you need to know now to stay ahead of the curve:
The "New Normal" Demands a New Leader 🌊
Market volatility, #AI transformation, upended geopolitical norms, & regulatory shifts are the new baseline - not a passing phase. Boards are acknowledging this & recognizing that past experience might not cut it for future challenges
External Talent is King 🎯
Boards are looking outside the organization for fresh perspectives. External appointments in the S&P 500 nearly doubled to 32.7% in 2025, dropping internal promotions below 70% for the 1st time in eight years. They want leaders with agility, stakeholder management skills, & digital fluency over traditional tenure
Succession is an Ongoing Discipline 🔄
The most forward-looking boards are embedding succession planning into their governance fabric. It’s no longer a one-off event. They are continuously assessing talent pools, both internally & externally, & linking transitions to long-term strategy, ensuring seamless continuity & stakeholder confidence
💡The message is clear: if your board isn't treating CEO succession as an ongoing strategic imperative, you’re already behind. The future of leadership is proactive, not reactive
📣 Is your company prepared for the "new normal," or are you waiting for the next crisis to force a change? ⏳ But don't take my word for it, take it from a recent CEO client of mine:
💬 “As a 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 #ExecutiveCoaching #CEOTransitions
About Navid Nazemian
Ranked as the world’s #1 Executive Coach by CEO Today for the 3rd year running, I use interventions that are designed to overcome obstacles quickly. Over the last 2 decades, I have helped hundreds of executives successfully eliminate unproductive thinking and solve their toughest, most complex challenges. In return, they have supported their organisations to build world-class cultures primed to create new markets, accelerate performance, increase productivity, and develop game-changing value propositions. 5 more ways to connect with me and my work:
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Marshall Goldsmith says it‘s „The ultimate guide to executive transitions to help leaders achieve their highest potential.“
Prof. Dave Ulrich names it „The compendium book on transitions, a critical topic in these days of uncertainty & change.“
Dr. Hannes Ametsreiter says it „provides brilliant insights on what makes successful careers.“
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Warm wishes,
Navid
