Why do people want to become CEO in the first place?" That was one of the first questions I posed to Ty Wiggins during our interview for the Leadership 2.0 Podcast. 

After all, the statistics are sobering:

• The turnover of CEOs is at an all-time high: from 9.2 years in 2018 to 7.6 years in 2022
• 50% of all CEOs reported feelings of loneliness
• The average workweek of CEOs is more than 60 hours[^1]
• Burnout is a reality for 71% of CEOs[^2]

Being a CEO comes with immense responsibility. CEOs are ultimately accountable for the company's entire trajectory, from strategic wins like M&As to major setbacks like corporate scandals. Every day, CEOs must make tough decisions on issues that can't be resolved at lower levels. More often than not, these choices are a matter of picking the 'least unattractive' option.
The CEO’s decisions have a significant influence on the lives and financial well-being of all stakeholders. This broad group includes employees, investors (e.g., pension funds), consumers, suppliers, and government bodies.  

In the 32nd episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Ty Wiggins about his book ‘The New CEO - Lessons from CEOs on How to Start Well and Perform Quickly (Minus the Common Mistakes)’.

During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:

1. The CEO and Executive Transition Practice of Russell Reynolds Associates
2. The Model on which the book 'The New CEO' is based
3. Why do people want to become CEOs in the first place?
4. Why CEOs are never 100% ready before they start
5. The big shift from Business Unit leader to CEO
6. The nature of decisions CEOs need to make
7. Why a typical CEO transition lasts 12-18 months
8. What a Transition Plan for a CEO role looks like
9. Taking over the CEO role in a 'Stealth mode'
10. The right moment for new CEOs to start making big decisions
11. When and how CEOs should select their teams
12. How to burst the 'CEO bubble'
13. Should CEOs speak up on political issues?
14. Final Thoughts

► About Ty Wiggins

Ty Wiggins is the CEO & Executive Transition Advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates. He advises leading companies on leadership transitions and executive onboarding to ensure a more expedient path to effectiveness. Based in London, Ty is one of only a handful of people globally with a Ph.D. in senior leadership transitions. He harnesses his deep academic, consulting and coaching background to provide CEOs, boards, and senior leaders across industries with the advice, support, challenge and insight needed to start well and perform quickly.

Ty holds a BS in social sciences from the University of South Wales. He also holds a Master of Business Coaching, MBA, with honors, and PhD in leadership transitions from Sydney Business School at the University of Wollongong.
 
► Book: The new CEO

► Website Ty Wiggins (Russell Reynolds)

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