In the past two years, the landscape of leadership hiring has continued to evolve. Companies are seeking leaders who possess a blend of adaptability, visionary thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage crises. As the business world grapples with economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and heightened accountability, the traits that define a successful leader have become clearer. Let’s explore what is being prioritized in leadership roles, alongside recent examples of CEOs who were hired or fired in 2023 and 2024, and what we can learn from these changes.
1. Adaptability and Agility
The rapid pace of technological change and market volatility demands leaders who can swiftly adapt to new realities. Companies are seeking agile CEOs who can pivot strategies when necessary and keep businesses afloat during uncertainty.
Example: Linda Yaccarino at X (formerly Twitter) In May 2023, Elon Musk appointed Linda Yaccarino as the CEO of X (formerly Twitter). Yaccarino’s adaptability was a key reason behind her hiring, as she brings years of experience leading advertising at NBCUniversal. The social media platform is in the midst of transformation, and her ability to navigate changes and stabilize its revenue model in a shifting tech landscape will be critical. This highlights the growing importance of leaders who can quickly adapt and lead organizations through transitions.
2. Visionary Thinking
Companies increasingly value leaders who can see beyond the immediate future and develop innovative strategies that anticipate long-term trends. Visionary leadership ensures organizations stay competitive by identifying new opportunities.
Example: Andy Jassy at Amazon Although Andy Jassy took over as Amazon’s CEO in mid-2021, his leadership in 2023–2024 has been marked by a continued focus on cloud computing and AI, reflecting his visionary approach. Under Jassy, Amazon doubled down on AWS, its cloud services division, and expanded its AI capabilities, helping the company maintain its edge. This approach underscores the need for leaders who not only react to market changes but also shape the company’s future by aligning strategy with emerging technologies.
3. Emotional Intelligence and People Skills
Leadership today requires more than just technical skills—it demands emotional intelligence (EQ). Leaders must be able to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, manage crises, and foster a strong organizational culture.
Example: David Risher at Lyft David Risher was appointed as CEO of Lyft in March 2023, following the departure of co-founder Logan Green. Lyft was struggling to keep up with Uber, and Risher was brought in to refocus the company. His leadership style, rooted in empathy and open communication, has already had an impact. Risher’s ability to rebuild trust and improve morale has been key to stabilizing the company and refocusing its strategy on ride-hailing. This case highlights the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership roles, especially in rebuilding organizations.
4. Resilience and Crisis Management
In a world where crises seem to emerge with increasing frequency—whether they be global pandemics, economic downturns, or supply chain disruptions—leaders who can weather the storm and guide companies through adversity are highly sought after.
Example: Parag Agrawal’s Firing from Twitter Parag Agrawal, appointed as Twitter’s CEO in 2021, was fired by Elon Musk in October 2022 after Musk took over the company. Agrawal’s exit exemplifies the increasing pressure on CEOs to manage crises with resilience and decisiveness. Agrawal was criticized for his handling of Twitter’s internal challenges, including employee relations and content moderation issues. The lesson from Agrawal’s firing is that resilience, combined with the ability to manage high-stakes crises effectively, is crucial for CEOs navigating turbulent times.
5. Cultural Alignment and Ethical Leadership
CEOs are now expected to align with their company’s values and lead with a strong sense of ethics and integrity. Leaders who fail to embody company culture or who act unethically can quickly find themselves out of a job.
Example: Bernard Looney’s Resignation from BP In September 2023, Bernard Looney resigned as CEO of BP after failing to fully disclose past relationships with colleagues, which violated the company’s code of conduct. This incident highlights the importance of ethical leadership. Despite Looney’s efforts to transition BP into a greener company, his ethical missteps overshadowed his strategic initiatives. The lesson here is clear: Cultural and ethical alignment is non-negotiable in today’s leadership roles.
6. Digital and Technological Fluency
The ongoing digital transformation of industries has heightened the demand for leaders who possess a deep understanding of technology and its potential to disrupt traditional business models.
Example: Thomas Kurian at Google Cloud Thomas Kurian’s leadership at Google Cloud has been pivotal in the company’s expansion in the enterprise cloud market. In 2023, Google Cloud’s continued growth was driven by Kurian’s digital fluency and his ability to leverage AI and machine learning for enterprise customers. Kurian’s strong technological background allowed him to identify key areas for growth and innovation. This reflects the growing need for CEOs who are well-versed in technology and can integrate digital tools into their company’s strategy.
7. Diversity and Inclusion Mindset
There is increasing pressure on companies to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at all levels, including leadership. CEOs are expected to lead by example and create inclusive workplaces.
Example: Thasunda Brown Duckett at TIAA Thasunda Brown Duckett, who became CEO of TIAA in 2021, continued to make significant strides in 2023 by advancing DEI within the company. Duckett’s leadership, as one of the few Black women to lead a Fortune 500 company, is a powerful example of the growing importance of diversity in the boardroom. Her efforts to promote financial inclusion and equity are closely aligned with TIAA’s mission, making her a model of how inclusive leadership can drive both social impact and business success.
Learnings and Future Trends
The global hiring landscape for leadership roles continues to prioritize traits that extend beyond traditional business acumen. Leaders are now expected to embody a mix of adaptability, vision, emotional intelligence, ethical grounding, and technological fluency.
Key Takeaways:
- Adaptability and agility remain critical in fast-changing environments, as seen with leaders like Linda Yaccarino.
- Visionary thinking continues to be essential, with CEOs like Andy Jassy pushing innovation and long-term strategy.
- Emotional intelligence is key for managing relationships, as demonstrated by David Risher at Lyft.
- Resilience in the face of crises is crucial, and CEOs like Parag Agrawal’s exit shows the consequences of poor crisis management.
- Ethical leadership is non-negotiable, as Bernard Looney’s resignation from BP reveals.
- Technological fluency is becoming a core leadership requirement, illustrated by Thomas Kurian’s success at Google Cloud.
- Diversity and inclusion are integral, as exemplified by Thasunda Brown Duckett’s ongoing efforts at TIAA.
- Leaders in 2023 and 2024 are being hired not just for their ability to run companies but for their capacity to lead them into an uncertain future while upholding strong values and fostering inclusive environments.