🔥 Your CEO might be on the way out — Here Are the 3 implications You Need to Watch
The latest Russell Reynolds Associates Global CEO Turnover Index shows that through Q3 2025:
• 176 new CEOs stepped in globally (9% of all CEOs)
• 174 CEOs stepped down (also 9%)
• Average outgoing CEO tenure has dropped to 7.2 years, down from 8.4 in 2021
#Boards are acting faster ⏩ than ever. Agility, alignment, & performance 💹 are no longer optional — they’re demanded. Investors & activist shareholders are scrutinizing every move, rewarding speed & punishing 👮🏼 delays 🕤:
✅ 1st time CEOs are surging — 88% globally. In the UK 🇬🇧 & Japan 🇯🇵, nearly 100% of new CEOs are first-timers. Boards are betting on fresh energy, curiosity, & a readiness to learn
✅ Internal succession still rules — 72% of new CEOs are promoted from inside. Boards are trusting talent pipelines, rewarding loyalty, & building continuity, while still leaving room for external disruptors when transformation demands it
✅ External hires remain tactical — especially in the US, where activist pressure & urgent challenges sometimes require experienced or returning CEOs
✅ Another study from Korn Ferry highlights that roughly one-third of CEOs don’t last past the 3‑year mark in typical conditions
The implications:
1. CEO succession is no longer a “one-and-done” event. It’s continuous talent strategy in action
2. Boards are balancing institutional knowledge, culture, & fresh perspectives with precision
3. For leaders, the clock on demonstrating impact is faster 🚅 than ever
💡 Takeaway: Boards want CEOs who can deliver now, navigate disruption, & build readiness for what’s next. Emerging leaders, first-time CEOs, or seasoned executives: the question isn’t if you can lead — it’s how quickly and effectively you can prove impact
⏱ In today’s world, speed, focus, & readiness are everything
📣 Are you prepared for a board that won’t wait?
👉🏼 If you'd like to enhance your chances, then send me a DM.
But don't take my word for it. Take it from an executive of an investment firm with the desire to become the CEO of that vertical. Within 6 months of us working together, he was promoted to CEO and became a member of ExCo. And only 3 months after that he was promoted again to become Group CIO.
💬 His feedback: “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.“
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:
- For more articles, tips, and insights, connect with me on LinkedIn
- Make sure you never miss an issue of my Newsletter by hitting the "Subscribe" button
- Ring the bell on my LinkedIn profile to be notified every time I share my top tips
- Reach out to me directly at hello@masteringexecutivetransitions.com if you have a need for coaching, keynote speaking or would like to place a bulk book order for your leaders
- Buy my international best-selling book ‚Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide‘
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.“
What's Next? Stay tuned for upcoming newsletter editions where I'll be sharing fresh and actionable insights about the world of leadership. I really would love for you to join this conversation! Do let me know what you make of this newsletter edition by hitting 'Reply'.
Warm wishes,
Navid
