Daily Insight for CEOs: Preparing Leaders for 2027

In the pursuit of a successful 2027 strategy, CEOs must prioritize the assessment of their leaders' readiness. This involves identifying any capability gaps and preparing successors for crucial positions. Strengthening executive collaboration and ensuring managers can guide teams through evolving priorities and business demands are also critical.

To achieve this, CEOs should first ascertain the specific leadership skills required to execute the 2027 strategy. They must then identify the developmental needs within their executive and management teams. By strengthening succession plans for key leadership roles and providing targeted coaching, mentoring, and practical development opportunities, they can effectively address these needs.

Connecting leadership performance expectations to strategic outcomes is another vital step. Before the close of 2026, CEOs should review the readiness of leaders responsible for the organization's most significant strategic priorities. Identifying critical roles with potential succession or capability gaps and agreeing on specific leadership development actions will help mitigate risks.

A practical tip for CEOs is to ask each executive, "What leadership capability must you strengthen to deliver your 2027 commitments, and what will you do to develop it?" This direct question encourages leaders to reflect on their personal growth and align their development with the organization's strategic goals.

The importance of leadership readiness cannot be overstated. Strategy success hinges on individuals who can transform plans into results. By investing in leadership readiness, CEOs can enhance execution, ensure continuity, and minimize the risk of launching the new year with ambitious plans but insufficient leadership capacity. Ernest De-Graft Egyir, a CEO advisor, thought leader, and Founding CEO of the Chief Executives Network Ghana, emphasizes the significance of these leadership actions in his work.