The leadership shift
Volatility is no longer episodic; it’s systemic. From 2020–2025, 60% of Canadian CEOs reported at least two major business-model pivots, compared with 24% in the previous decade (PwC Canada).
| Indicator | 2010–2019 | 2020–2025 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firms executing full model pivot | 24 % | 60 % | PwC |
| CEO tenure (avg. years) | 7.3 | 5.1 | Korn Ferry |
| Boards adding “strategic adaptability” to CEO KPIs | — | 71 % | Spencer Stuart 2025 |
What agility looks like
- Faster decision cycles and smaller leadership teams.
- Scenario-based planning embedded in finance and HR.
- CEOs as “ecosystem orchestrators,” not command controllers.
What leaders can do
- Establish rapid decision forums. Replace annual planning with quarterly strategy reviews.
- Develop digital situational awareness dashboards. Combine internal KPIs with external signals.
- Cross-train executives. Build redundancy at the top for continuity.
- Reward adaptability, not stability. Tie bonuses to learning velocity.
Arcus Insight: Leadership agility isn’t a personality trait — it’s an operating system. The next decade will reward organizations that evolve in real time.