CEO Priorities: Where to Focus as the Year Unfolds

McKinsey (Apr 4, 2024) podcast and article "CEO priorities: Where to focus as the year unfolds" features Homayoun Hatami (managing partner for client capabilities), Liz Hilton Segel (chief client officer) and Lucia Rahilly (global editorial director) on where CEOs should focus amid serial crisis and disruption. They cite the immediate backdrop: two major conflicts, upcoming elections across many countries, global-economy concerns, and a mix of hesitation and hope around technology. Geopolitical risk is centre stage; the firm's advice is to build both geopolitical muscle and bone. Middle managers are a priority — the best CEOs retain top middle managers and elevate their role to coaching and connecting people. Useful brief for SEA mid-market CEOs whose middle layer carries delivery.