CEOs are embracing a new era of leadership. They are positioning themselves as key architects of societal progress
In an era marked by profound economic and environmental challenges, CEOs in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are positioning themselves at the forefront of climate action and adaptive leadership, according to a new survey.
Egon Zehnder’s global CEO survey, The CEO Response, polled over 470 CEOs worldwide, 13% of whom are based in APAC.
The findings suggest that APAC CEOs are more prepared than their counterparts in Europe and North America to tackle emerging global challenges, with a particular focus on environmental responsibility, technology regulation, and the cultivation of forward-thinking leadership styles.
Climate change and innovation: APAC’s dual focus
In contrast to concerns over populism and nationalism in Europe and North America, APAC CEOs are most focused on the natural and humanitarian crises triggered by climate change. In fact, climate change emerged as the top concern for business leaders in the region, closely followed by the impact of military conflicts, AI, and cybersecurity threats.
While climate change remains a priority, APAC CEOs are balancing innovation with sustainability. The survey revealed that 32% of global CEOs see climate action as a prime area for collaboration between businesses, governments, and other stakeholders.
However, in APAC, leaders identified the regulation of emerging technologies, like AI, as the biggest opportunity for cooperation, with climate change ranking second.
“APAC CEOs are demonstrating a significant shift in leadership approaches, prioritising both self-awareness and inclusivity as core qualities,” said Wan May Ang, Partner and Singapore Office Leader at Egon Zehnder. “This marks a departure from traditional, hierarchical leadership structures toward a more adaptive and forward-thinking model.”
New era of leadership: openness, curiosity and transformation
One of the standout trends in the survey is the growing emphasis on adaptive leadership. Globally, 99% of CEOs stressed the importance of cultivating a culture of openness and curiosity, and 97% highlighted the need for strong listening skills—two key qualities of effective future leadership.
For APAC CEOs, these adaptive skills take on even greater significance. A notable 82% of APAC leaders consider the ability to include diverse and challenging views as critical to their leadership, compared to 56% of European and 62% of North American CEOs.
This focus on inclusivity is coupled with a strong commitment to personal development, with 28% of APAC CEOs ranking “investing in transforming myself” as extremely important, far outpacing their global peers.
As Michael Ensser, Global Chair of Egon Zehnder, explained, “CEOs are embracing a new era of leadership. They are positioning themselves as key architects of societal progress. As complexity increases, they recognise that fostering curiosity and openness within their organisations will be critical to meeting the challenges ahead.”
Confidence in navigating future challenges
The survey also revealed a striking level of confidence among APAC CEOs in navigating the complexities of global business. When asked how prepared they felt to address growing uncertainties in areas like geopolitics, AI adoption, and talent development, 24% of APAC CEOs rated their preparedness at seven out of 10.
This is notably higher than their counterparts in Europe (16%) and North America (12%).
As 95% of global CEOs anticipate significant shifts in the economy, technology, and energy sectors over the next decade, APAC business leaders appear poised to take a proactive role in leading these transformations, particularly in balancing business success with sustainability and societal responsibility.
The full report, The CEO Response, is available for download at Egon Zehnder’s website.
