Artificial Harmony Is Costing Your Leadership Team More Than Conflict Ever Could
On the surface, everything looks and feels aligned. Underneath, dissent goes unspoken, accountability erodes and execution suffers.
Chief Executive
Since 1977, Chief Executive has been the independent voice of the CEO community, helping America’s business leaders tackle their most pressing issues and plan for future growth.
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Analysis, research and perspectives from CEOs and experts.
On the surface, everything looks and feels aligned. Underneath, dissent goes unspoken, accountability erodes and execution suffers.
Time management asks a tactical question: How do I fit everything in? Time ownership asks a leadership question: Who must I be to decide what belongs?
Rituals surface founding values in visible and repeatable ways, transforming abstract principles into lived experiences, connecting the past, present and future.
CEO Jeff Mason explains how proprietary commerce data, disciplined measurement and a culture built for retention help the agency deliver repeatable, profitable growth.
There’s far more unknown than known about what happens next following the Supreme Court’s ruling. Here’s how to start figuring things out.
The founder of The Drew Company and chairman of the World Trade Centers Association details how his developments — from Boston’s Seaport to Atlanta and Dublin — are shaping growth, connectivity and opportunity in a turbulent trade era.
CEO Confidence Index
After a shaky start to the year, CEO optimism is buoyed by steady demand and hopes for greater policy clarity. ‘I’m hoping for split government and gridlock.’
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Digital version of the latest articles published in Chief Executive.
Leading through economic turbulence often forces CEOs to make painful trade-offs. In Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family, Barry-Wehmiller CEO Bob Chapman recounts rejecting one of the most common: layoffs.
In a new book, bestselling author James Patterson’s lifetime of upending the status quo offers a roadmap for leaders stuck in neutral.
Align what you say outside with what you live inside.
It’s time to drop the messianic quest for your successor.
At Chief Executive’s 2025 CEO of the Year celebration, a cross-industry roundtable of business leaders took on the toughest—and most critical—issue of our time. ‘Getting good at this matters.’
Advances from next-generation chips and quantum technologies to cutting-edge energy storage are cementing the region’s place at the forefront of emerging tech.
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On the surface, everything looks and feels aligned. Underneath, dissent goes unspoken, accountability erodes and execution suffers.
Time management asks a tactical question: How do I fit everything in? Time ownership asks a leadership question: Who must I be to decide what belongs?
Rituals surface founding values in visible and repeatable ways, transforming abstract principles into lived experiences, connecting the past, present and future.
CEO Jeff Mason explains how proprietary commerce data, disciplined measurement and a culture built for retention help the agency deliver repeatable, profitable growth.
The founder of The Drew Company and chairman of the World Trade Centers Association details how his developments — from Boston’s Seaport to Atlanta and Dublin — are shaping growth, connectivity and opportunity in a turbulent trade era.
Herbert Nitsch’s record-breaking dives weren’t feats of bravado—they were exercises in disciplined focus, pre-engineered risk and relentless refinement. His approach offers leaders a powerful blueprint for leading under extreme pressure without burning out.
For Sentry Equipment CFO Dave Ring, focusing on ‘agility, velocity and employee experience’ keeps the company on the right path.
Manufacturing CEOs report improved current conditions and strong investment plans, though tariff uncertainty and political volatility continue to weigh on long-term outlook.
CEO Lars Petersen shares how Fujifilm took advantage of technological competencies to pivot and build one of the largest biopharma manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Even in a mature industry, changes are coming fast. CEO Lefenfeld shares his playbook for keeping up.
After ending 2025 on an upswing, manufacturing CEOs open the new year with fading confidence, driven by tariff uncertainty and mounting cost pressures, even as recession fears ease.
‘Each space, each role, is part of a single ecosystem built to support radical creativity and the pursuit of excellence,’ says CEO Semmelmann.
CEO Jeff Mason explains how proprietary commerce data, disciplined measurement and a culture built for retention help the agency deliver repeatable, profitable growth.
The founder of The Drew Company and chairman of the World Trade Centers Association details how his developments — from Boston’s Seaport to Atlanta and Dublin — are shaping growth, connectivity and opportunity in a turbulent trade era.
The Supreme Court just invalidated most of the president’s tariffs. Before you exhale, perhaps ask a few questions of your team.
Most American companies still treat currency as a finance issue. Treasury hedges it. Accounting reports it. Leadership moves on. That separation no longer works.
When results wobble, elite teams don’t grit their teeth—they rely on conditions built long before game day. CEOs should do the same, designing fundamentals, strategy and team environment so peak performance holds when pressure spikes.
The rapidly spreading autonomous agentic AI system highlights how agent-based technologies are advancing faster than controls. Here’s what boards can do now.
CEO Jeff Mason explains how proprietary commerce data, disciplined measurement and a culture built for retention help the agency deliver repeatable, profitable growth.
Five tips for engaging workers and mitigating labor relations risks in 2026.
You need your people focused on evolving their skills and their value‑creating actions, not standing in unemployment lines while bots execute yesterday’s scripts.
The companies that will dominate the AI-first era won’t necessarily have the best products or the biggest budgets. They’ll have the best people
When developing new AI programs remember: The tech is the product, your organization is the marketplace and your teams are the customers.
As the youngest—and arguably most difficult—generation is posed to take over the workforce, we need a new kind of leadership.
Valuation is increasingly a measure of this strategic commitment, not just current revenue.
A human-AI workforce doesn’t eliminate the need for strong leadership—it transforms it. Here’s how to build a powerful partnership on your blended team.
The rapidly spreading autonomous agentic AI system highlights how agent-based technologies are advancing faster than controls. Here’s what boards can do now.
New data from Chief Executive’s Financial Performance Benchmark Report reveals nearly one-third of companies are already using AI to reduce headcount, even as 53 percent plan to expand their workforce in 2026.
When two-thirds of employees trust AI more than their leaders, it’s time to ask better questions.
Many business leaders are focused on minor cost savings from artificial intelligence while ignoring its potential to fundamentally change their business model. Not these CEOs—they’re committing fully, integrating AI into strategy and core operations across the value chain. Some tips from the frontlines.
Simple steps to safeguard your health, maximize productivity and ensure safe, effective time on the road.
Tips for taking control of the holidays so they don’t take control of you.
It controls thought, movement and emotion. Here’s how to protect it and maximize its performance.
Sit all day? Some simple, high-ROI moves will help prevent pain, stiffness and injury.
Wonder what’s considered a natural part of the aging process? Here’s what to expect as you get older — and what you can do about it.
When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger and resentment—or embrace forgiveness and move forward.
There’s far more unknown than known about what happens next following the Supreme Court’s ruling. Here’s how to start figuring things out.
The Supreme Court just invalidated most of the president’s tariffs. Before you exhale, perhaps ask a few questions of your team.
Beyond the direct impact on prices, there are multiple effects anticipated on the supply chain, much like those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s what to do.
Nearly half of the 300 CEOs surveyed polled this May also say they have already paused hiring or making major new investments in their business. ‘This is not the time to panic but to consciously refine.’
The supply chain uncertainty unleashed by the overhaul of tariff levels in the U.S. is having an immediate and direct impact on the warehousing sector.
A webinar discussing strategies for addressing new U.S. tariffs, with experts from AlixPartners’ Sourcing and Procurement, Supply Chain and Growth teams.
Valuation is increasingly a measure of this strategic commitment, not just current revenue.
A human-AI workforce doesn’t eliminate the need for strong leadership—it transforms it. Here’s how to build a powerful partnership on your blended team.
The rapidly spreading autonomous agentic AI system highlights how agent-based technologies are advancing faster than controls. Here’s what boards can do now.
New data from Chief Executive’s Financial Performance Benchmark Report reveals nearly one-third of companies are already using AI to reduce headcount, even as 53 percent plan to expand their workforce in 2026.
Many business leaders are focused on minor cost savings from artificial intelligence while ignoring its potential to fundamentally change their business model. Not these CEOs—they’re committing fully, integrating AI into strategy and core operations across the value chain. Some tips from the frontlines.
The key lies in a progressive implementation of control mechanisms, each adding a new layer of predictability. An overview.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.