C-suite Perspectives on Workplace and Business Trends

Padilla's third annual C-suite Perspectives study, which includes data from a survey of more than 100 C-suite executives and 1,000 employed adults and in-depth interviews with nearly 50 C-suite leaders, revealed a clear trend that leaders feel a renewed sense of urgency to move past the reactive management style of recent years to drive their strategic business objectives.

"Leaders ended 2024 with cautious optimism that they could move beyond the near-term management mindset of the past several years and get back to executing on long-term vision and direction," said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. "That desire to move things forward is coming up against political/geopolitical uncertainty, a fragile workplace culture, and an era marked by increasing mistrust and polarization. This leaves today’s C-suite leaders looking for a way to power through."

The C-suite Perspectives study, available to download for free, found leaders expressing a growing emphasis on confidence, flexibility, humility, stoicism, and a growth mindset, reflecting their determination to move ahead. They desire more trust, civility and predictability in 2025 and are looking to drive meaningful change and growth for their organizations. In addition, the optimism they feel about the prospect of lower taxes and reduced regulations is tempered by uncertainty related to global tariff conflicts, associated cost increases and supply chain disruptions.

Other key workplace and business trends covered in the study include:

• Change Readiness: Leaders have spent the last few years building change-resilient cultures. 67% of the C-suite feel their employees are "fully" or "very" ready to embrace and assist with change initiatives within the organization, and they’re prepared to capitalize on that. But not all employees are on board – yet.
• Employee Well-being: Despite the increasing challenges of building strong employee cultures, 50% of the C-suite think employees’ well-being has improved over the past year, but only 29% of employees agree.
• C-suite Turnover: The "Great Executive Resignation" continues at unprecedented levels. From 2023 to 2024, there has been a 7-point increase in leaders stepping back earlier than in the past — up to roughly 1 out of 5 leaders. Meanwhile, the next level of leaders doesn’t necessarily want to pick up the baton. 61% of employees (ages 52+) expressed wanting their career/responsibilities to remain the same or be simplified.
• Business Relevance: Pushback on ESG and DEI initiatives is causing some leaders to reconsider their strategies, while others are doubling down, adjusting programs (often quietly) and emphasizing business value.
• Artificial Intelligence: 83% of the C-suite are either selectively or aggressively adopting AI, driven by better quality products and services. While leaders are optimistic, 24% of employees remain uncertain and see it as a moderate or significant threat.

To learn more about the C-suite Perspectives findings and our corporate strategic advisory capabilities, connect with us.

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