C-Suite Perspectives

No CEO can personally master every technological, geopolitical, and economic challenge confronting a modern organization. The leadership advantage now comes from building a system that draws on the knowledge of the entire team—and enables the business to keep transforming without depending on one person for every answer.
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates and author of The Catalyst CEO, about why the traditional command-and-control model is no longer enough.
Together, they explore why effective CEOs lead from the center of the organization rather than the top; how empowerment differs from abdication; and why humility, adaptability, resilience, and self-awareness are becoming essential leadership capabilities. They also discuss the board's role in transformation, how AI is changing jobs and workflows, and why CEOs must build cultures and leadership systems capable of continuous change.
More from The Conference Board:
·         What Does It Really Take to Succeed in the C-Suite?
·         A Framework for Agentic AI and Work Redesign
·         Transforming Organizations for AI: Critical Factors for AI Success
·         Shedding Light on Culture: A Framework for Board Insights

US salary increase budgets are projected to remain at 3.5% in 2027, unchanged from 2026. But stability in the headline number does not mean the workforce—or the way companies allocate compensation—is standing still.
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board, about findings from the 41st annual US Salary Increase Budgets 2026–2027 study and what they mean for business and human capital leaders.
Together, they discuss why the average merit budget of 3.1% should reward performance rather than compensate for inflation; how companies can target limited pay dollars toward promotions, critical skills, retention, and equity; and why AI capabilities should be rewarded only when they create measurable business value. They also explore how automation is changing the mix of work even when overall headcount remains stable, the expanding role of CHROs in workforce transformation, and why transparency and a broader total rewards story are essential to maintaining employee trust.
More from The Conference Board:
·       US Salary Increase Budgets 2026–2027
·       The Evolving Role of the CHRO in the Boardroom
·       A Framework for Agentic AI and Work Redesign
·       Skilling for AI: Critical Factors for Navigating AI Disruption

Strategic errors rarely begin as obviously bad decisions but emerge when a strategy outlives the assumptions on which it was built—and leaders fail to recognize that disruptions or transformations have changed the game. 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, speaks with Vincent Giolito, Professor of Strategy and Organization at emlyon business school and Senior Fellow at The Conference Board, about how boards can identify strategic errors before they threaten the future of the company. 

They discuss why boards must continually test strategic assumptions, recognize weak signals, and understand transformation as an ongoing process rather than a single event. They also explore the competencies boards need beyond financial expertise, why directors require "progressive lenses" that let them examine both operational details and the wider business landscape, and how ruthless empathy can help boards support CEOs while still challenging them when necessary. 

More from The Conference Board:  

Board Readiness in 2026 


Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption 


Modernizing Board Governance for Today's Risk Environment 


AI Policy and Regulation in the EU: What Companies Need to Know

US Consumer Confidence fell to 81.9 in September, marking a third consecutive monthly decline. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, The Conference Board's Eric Lundh and Allen Li examine what is driving greater consumer caution — from financial well-being and inflation concerns to signs of softer discretionary spending. 
They also discuss The Conference Board's latest global economic forecast: how energy disruptions and trade uncertainty are weighing on growth; how AI investment and semiconductor demand are supporting parts of the global economy; and what to expect in the US, Asia, the Gulf region, and Europe through 2027.

What changes when employees are not only part of a company but its owners? At Graybar, employee ownership has fostered a long-term approach to leadership—one that places trust, resilience, shared accountability, and responsibility to future generations alongside financial performance.
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, David Young, President of The CEO Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Kathy Mazzarella, Chairman, President, and CEO of Graybar. Mazzarella reflects on joining the company at 19, rising through roles to become CEO, and the defining experiences that prepared her to lead one of North America's largest employee-owned companies.
Together, they explore why leadership is an act of stewardship, how Graybar's ownership culture strengthens engagement and customer loyalty, and why resilience can matter more than an uninterrupted path to the top. They also discuss how leaders can use AI to improve productivity without sacrificing human judgment and trust, why the right decision for employees can also produce stronger business results, and what it means to leave both a company and its people better positioned for the future.
This episode is part of the Leadership in Challenging Times series from The CEO Center at The Conference Board. The series features discussions with the business leaders who are recipients of the Distinguished Leadership Awards.