C-suite Perspectives on Workplace and Business Trends

Category

Company News

Published on:

April 21, 2025

Author:

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.

RELATED Posts

The 2024 silver anvil finalist medal, a silver circle with a blue ribbon across the bottom.

Company News

Padilla is Anvil Awards Finalist

Padilla is a finalist for the PRSA Anvil Awards, which honors communications campaigns and the tactics that contributed their success.

Company News

Tina Charpentier Receives Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Award

Tina Charpentier, Padilla executive vice president, Client Experience, is a Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards honoree.

Company News

Padilla Earns 5 Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards

The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized Padilla with four awards at the 44th annual Classics Awards.

Company News

Padilla Earns Seven Region 3 Best of NAMA Awards

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) recognized Padilla with seven awards at the 2022 Region 3 Best of NAMA awards ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa.

In2 SABRE Award

Company News

Padilla Shortlisted for In2 SABRE Awards

Recognized among more than 850 total entries in the 2024 competition, Padilla is a PRovoke Innovation SABRE Awards North America finalist.

A circle with the w3 awards logo inside that says 2024 silver winner at the bottom.

Company News

Padilla Earns Three w3 Awards

Padilla has been recognized by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts with three Silver w3 Awards.

A collection of silver trophys awarded at the SABRE awards.

Company News

Padilla Shortlisted for 2025 SABRE Awards

Padilla is recognized by PRovoke Media as a North American SABRE Award finalist with Jack Link’s.

Jeff Wilson, co-host of the PRSA Anvil Awards, with Anne-Kristine Øen of the Norwegian Seafood Council US, accepting the Silver Anvil trophy.

Company News

Padilla Earns PRSA Silver Anvil Award

Padilla was recognized as a Silver Anvil winner with the Norwegian Seafood Council at the 2025 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Anvil Awards.

Company News

Padilla Earns 2 Telly Awards

The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders across the media industry.

A 2024 AdFed show poster with the words 'unedited' across the bottom.

Company News

Padilla Earns AdFed MN Award

Padilla wins a Silver Pin for its “Grab a Boost of Blue” internet commercial campaign with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

A black and white photo of Matt Kucharski.

Company News

Padilla President Matt Kucharski Elected to PR Council Board of Directors

The PR Council is the only association dedicated to supporting agencies with a core competency in earned media.

A person is awarded a SABRE award on stage, shaking hands with the presenter of the award.

Company News

Padilla Earns In2 SABRE Award

Recognized among more than 850 total entries in the 2024 competition, Padilla is a PRovoke Innovation SABRE Awards North America winner.

A group of Padilla employees taking a photo together in front of a PRSA banner in a room with a brick wall in the background.

Company News

Padilla Earns 4 Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards

The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized Padilla with four awards at the 46th annual Classics Awards.

A blue badge honoring the Chief Marketer Top Agencies of the Year for 2025

Company News

Padilla is a Chief Marketer 2025 Top Agency of the Year

Padilla has been named among the Chief Marketer 2025 Top Agencies of the Year.

A red ribbon next to black text on a white background stating The Drum Awards finalist for Marketing in the Americas 2025.

Company News

Padilla Shortlisted for The Drum Awards

Padilla has been recognized by The Drum Awards for Marketing 2025 with Jack Link’s and our National Jerky Day 2024 campaign.

Company News

The Valentine Selects Padilla as its Digital Partner

The Valentine – a premier local history and culture museum based in Richmond, Virginia – has selected Padilla as its digital marketing agency partner.

A group of Padilla employees taking a photo together in a white room.

Company News

Padilla Earns 7 Virginia Public Relations Awards

2024 Virginia PR Awards winners were recognized for the most creative and effective communication strategies and tactics.

A group of Padilla employees take a photo together holding an award.

Company News

Padilla Earns 4 PRSA National Anvil Awards

Padilla was recognized with four awards at the 2024 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Anvil Awards.

A large collection of best of NAMA awards that are dedicated to Padilla for various clients sitting on a table.

Company News

Padilla Receives Honors at Region 3 Best of NAMA Awards

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) recognized Padilla at the 2024 Region 3 Best of NAMA awards ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa.

Company News

Rosalie Morton Promoted to SVP, Channels

Padilla has promoted Rosalie Morton to senior vice president, Channels.

More Posts

All News
No items found.

Reach Out

We're excited to talk transformation and help you get where you need to be.