Making it to the C-suite has never been easy. But in the present climate, the road isn’t just difficult, it’s different, with artificial intelligence (AI) and external challenges reshaping leadership expectations. Trends – like CEO turnover continuing to rise – show the demand for strong, committed leaders remains fierce, along with the competition.
So, how do you break through? The trick isn’t just listing your experience, it’s positioning yourself as the kind of leader modern businesses need.
The new C-suite landscape: How to overcome the challenges defining 2025
1. Technology is outpacing leadership
92% of companies are upping their investments in AI this year, and they’ll expect every C-suite leader to understand its commercial impact. But only one in four CEOs feel prepared. If you can’t seamlessly integrate AI into business strategy, you’ll be passed over for someone who can. Here’s how to make AI your competitive advantage:
- Understand how trends in AI, automation and data analytics are reshaping your industry, business model and decision-making process
- Demonstrate AI literacy in your thought leadership. Boards want leaders who can discuss AI’s impact and future with confidence. Drive the conversation, don’t resist it
- Partner with AI-focused executives to see how AI drives revenue, efficiency and innovation. This will allow you to speak AI fluently, identify business opportunities and spearhead digital transformation
- Upskill. Technological advancements are so fast, the half-life of tech-specific skills is just 2.5 years. Committing to upskilling shows you’re forward-thinking and future-ready
AI isn’t the only challenge. As technology skyrockets, so do cyberattacks, costing businesses $4.88 million per breach. In response, risk management has become an executive responsibility, not just an IT concern. CEOs, CFOs and COOs who lack digital risk awareness may struggle to gain board confidence.
2. Boards need enterprise-wide thinking
As businesses navigate unprecedented challenges, they need leaders who can think and act beyond their function. If you’ve spent your career siloed in your specialism, you may be perceived as too narrow in scope for today’s boardroom demands. Overcome this by:
- Demonstrating P&L mastery by getting involved in financial planning and revenue-driving initiatives
- Taking ownership of cross-functional initiatives that require strategic planning, AI adoption or risk mitigation
- Gaining board-level exposure by presenting to the board or securing a non-executive director (NED) role at a smaller company to develop governance acumen
- Thinking like an investor. Understand what drives valuation and align your contributions with the company’s broader commercial goals
3. C-suite turnover is high, but succession planning isn’t filling the gap
Boards are increasingly favouring external hires rather than promoting from within. In 2024, 44% of new CEOs were sourced externally, a 12% increase from 2023.
If you’re not actively positioning yourself as commercially astute and digitally fluent, you risk being overlooked, no matter how long you’ve been at the company. To keep all eyes on you:
- Make your ambitions clear. Delivering results alone won’t get you noticed. Have direct conversations with key decision-makers about your long-term career goals
- Build a reputation as a strategic thinker. Contribute to shaping the company’s strategy by offering insights on long-term growth, digital transformation or risk mitigation
- Become a thought leader. Boards take notice of executives with external credibility. Publish articles, speak at industry events and engage in hot discussions
- Secure internal sponsorship. A sponsor actively champions your career. Identify senior leaders who will ensure your name is in the right conversations
And if your company continues to source externally – invest in your network. This is one of your most valuable assets in getting to the C-suite. Building genuine relationships with executive recruiters and industry leaders is how most senior roles are won.
The soft skills that define C-suite success
While financial acumen and operational expertise remain essential, today’s C-suite leaders are defined by a different set of capabilities. A University of Oxford study found that 87% of strong leadership traits are interpersonal or character-driven; only 13% are technical.
These are the skills that will make you stand out as a C-suite leader:
- Influence: Inspire and mobilise teams through storytelling, executive presence and public speaking
- Executive communication: Turn strategy into a compelling narrative that fosters buy-in at every level
- Commercial acumen: Stay ahead of commercial demands to drive profitability and long-term strategic value
- Emotional intelligence: Human skills are 2.4 times more in demand than digital skills. Prove that you can lead with empathy and build high-performing, diverse teams
- Adaptability and strategic vision: Anticipate change, navigate it with agility and develop long-term plans that position the business ahead of the curve
- Problem solving and critical thinking: Make swift, high-stakes decisions in complex scenarios
- Technological proficiency: Champion change and leverage digital advancements into business growth
- Risk management: Be proactive in identifying and mitigating risks, particularly in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance
You don’t have to develop these skills alone. Executive coaching gives you targeted guidance, self-awareness and actionable feedback to accelerate your growth. Whether you’re aspiring to the C-suite or already there, this level of support is critical to helping you elevate your leadership presence and effectiveness.
New C-suite roles – how to position yourself
As leadership evolves, so do the titles at the top:
- Chief AI Officer: Overseeing AI strategy, ethics and integration, 46% of senior professionals see this as the most influential emerging role, according to Hays
- Chief Sustainability Officer: Shapes ESG initiatives and long-term environmental impact
- Chief Diversity Officer: Ensures DE&I is embedded into corporate strategy and leadership pipelines
If you want to step into one of these emerging C-suite roles, you need to demonstrate expertise in the business imperatives driving them: ESG, digital transformation and human capital.
That means actively seeking out leadership opportunities in these areas – and being visible when you tackle them. With competition for top roles intensifying, working with an executive career coach can help you clinch the deal by strengthening your positioning, executive brand and career strategy.
Take control of your C-suite career
Breaking into the C-suite in 2025 means positioning yourself as the leader that businesses turn to in times of need. The traditional leadership mould has been broken. Companies need strategic, adaptable executives who can navigate modern challenges more than they need technical experts or decades of tenure.
Whether you need to sharpen your executive brand, expand your boardroom presence or develop a targeted career strategy, City CV’s executive coaching and career services can help you secure the role you want (and deserve).
Ready to take the next step? Get in touch today.