The 2013 Chief Executive Study explores how the CEO role has evolved over the past 100 years and what it will be like in 2040. In addition, we make a few predictions about how and with whom CEOs will work a quarter century from now.

1. CEOs from 100 years ago to 2040
2013 Chief Executive Study

2. Strategy&
2013 Chief Executive Study_CEO of the Future_slideshare_vf.pptx
The 2013 Chief Executive Study
explores how the CEO role has
evolved over the past 100 years
and what it will be like in 2040.
In addition, we make a few
predictions about how and with
whom CEOs will work a quarter
century from now.
1
Here’s what we found…

3. 2013 Chief Executive Study
• Were like absolute
monarchs—usually the
founder and owner of their
company
• Focused on raising
productivity with new
inventions like the
assembly line
• Had tiny C-suites: a
couple of board members
and a clerk
• Were the first to hear the
term “CEO”—first used
around 1917
Absolute Monarchs
CEOs in 1914 CEOs in 1964 CEOs today CEOs in 2040

4. 2013 Chief Executive Study
• Were like absolute
monarchs—usually the
founder and owner of their
company
• Focused on raising
productivity with new
inventions like the
assembly line
• Had tiny C-suites: a
couple of board members
and a clerk
• Were the first to hear the
term “CEO”—first used
around 1917
Absolute Monarchs
CEOs in 1914 CEOs in 1964 CEOs today CEOs in 2040
• Were organization men,
top managers rather than
monarchs, with public
shareholders to satisfy
• Often had military
backgrounds, along with
engineering or business
degrees
• Typically stayed at one
firm for their whole career
• Had large C-suites filled
with men like themselves
• Focused on making civic
contributions as well as
maximizing profit
Organization Men

5. 2013 Chief Executive Study
• Were like absolute
monarchs—usually the
founder and owner of their
company
• Focused on raising
productivity with new
inventions like the
assembly line
• Had tiny C-suites: a
couple of board members
and a clerk
• Were the first to hear the
term “CEO”—first used
around 1917
Absolute Monarchs
CEOs in 1914 CEOs in 1964 CEOs today CEOs in 2040
• Were organization men,
top managers rather than
monarchs, with public
shareholders to satisfy
• Often had military
backgrounds, along with
engineering or business
degrees
• Typically stayed at one
firm for their whole career
• Had large C-suites filled
with men like themselves
• Focused on making civic
contributions as well as
maximizing profit
• Are agile and skilled
communicators under
constant public and
stakeholder scrutiny
• Have a broader range of
experience than earlier
generations of CEOs did
• Typically have MBAs
• Focus on balancing
stakeholder interests amid
quickly changing
conditions
• Preside over a flatter
hierarchy but still have a
large C-suite
Organization Men Skilled Communicators

6. 2013 Chief Executive Study
• Were like absolute
monarchs—usually the
founder and owner of their
company
• Focused on raising
productivity with new
inventions like the
assembly line
• Had tiny C-suites: a
couple of board members
and a clerk
• Were the first to hear the
term “CEO”—first used
around 1917
Absolute Monarchs
CEOs in 1914 CEOs in 1964 CEOs today CEOs in 2040
• Were organization men,
top managers rather than
monarchs, with public
shareholders to satisfy
• Often had military
backgrounds, along with
engineering or business
degrees
• Typically stayed at one
firm for their whole career
• Had large C-suites filled
with men like themselves
• Focused on making civic
contributions as well as
maximizing profit
• Are agile and skilled
communicators under
constant public and
stakeholder scrutiny
• Have a broader range of
experience than earlier
generations of CEOs did
• Typically have MBAs
• Focus on balancing
stakeholder interests amid
quickly changing
conditions
• Preside over a flatter
hierarchy but still have a
large C-suite
Organization Men Skilled Communicators Great Connectors
• Will be great connectors
and communicators,
appealing to hearts and
minds inside and outside
the company
• Will have become leaders
at younger ages than
today’s CEOs did
• Will have worked in teams
of all kinds
• Will be deeply familiar
with technology both
personally and in terms of
how it’s changing their
business

7. In 2040, we also envision…
• Women making up one-third of the incoming CEO class
• CEOs taking charge of strategy, edging out a separate chief strategy
officer role
• The CHRO role expanding to ensure the company has all the resources
it needs, including natural resources—they’ll be chief resources officers
33%3%
2013 2040

8. 7
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