Egon Zehnder’s Global CEO Survey Highlights Leadership Role in Addressing Global Challenges

Egon Zehnder, the world’s leading executive search and leadership advisory firm, has unveiled the findings of its latest Global CEO Survey at the Berlin Global Dialogue. The event, themed “Building Common Ground,” brought together leaders from business, policy, and academia to address pressing global issues.

The survey, which gathered insights from over 470 CEOs worldwide, revealed that business leaders anticipate unprecedented changes in the coming decade and acknowledge their growing responsibility in navigating these complex challenges. According to the survey:

• 95% of CEOs expect significant systemic shifts across the economy, geopolitics, energy, and technology over the next ten years.
• 80% recognize their expanded role, viewing themselves not just as corporate leaders but as key influencers in shaping new societal realities.
• The majority of CEOs believe they can align with stakeholders on global issues, with climate change identified as the top priority (32%), followed by AI regulation (30%) and promoting a fairer global economy (13%).

Lars-Hendrik Röller, Founder and Chair of the Berlin Global Dialogue, noted the growing political shifts, particularly the rise of right-wing movements, as an increasing concern for CEOs. He emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue between business and political leaders to navigate these challenges.

When questioned about the future of leadership, nearly all CEOs (99%) stressed the importance of cultivating a culture of openness and curiosity within their organizations. Michael Ensser, Global Chair of Egon Zehnder, commented that CEOs are embracing a new era of leadership, positioning themselves as key architects of societal progress. He highlighted that as complexity rises, fostering curiosity and openness will be crucial in addressing future challenges.

The Berlin Global Dialogue, launched in 2022, serves as a platform for high-level discussions among global leaders. The summit aims to foster candid exchanges and collaborative problem-solving to tackle the pressing issues impacting the global economy. Hosted by ESMT Berlin, one of Germany’s leading business schools, the event promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration among participants to generate innovative solutions.

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