Talent Development Leader
Making Decisions in a Topsy-Turvy World
Content
Guidance for executives when there are too many variables
Guidance for executives when there are too many variables
Wed Dec 31 2025
Content
Artificial intelligence. Climate change. Global tensions. Tariffs. The unsteadiness of the workplace and global economy is critically high. How should members of the C-suite make decisions in today’s environment? And how can individuals positively contribute to the conversation?
Artificial intelligence. Climate change. Global tensions. Tariffs. The unsteadiness of the workplace and global economy is critically high. How should members of the C-suite make decisions in today’s environment? And how can individuals positively contribute to the conversation?
Content
Oliver Wyman Forum and the New York Stock Exchange’s The New Growth Agenda provides insights into how organizations are navigating the current landscape. Nearly all CEO respondents (96 percent) view AI as an opportunity rather than risk; more than 40 percent say moving too slowly to adopt AI is a top concern.
Oliver Wyman Forum and the New York Stock Exchange’s The New Growth Agenda provides insights into how organizations are navigating the current landscape. Nearly all CEO respondents (96 percent) view AI as an opportunity rather than risk; more than 40 percent say moving too slowly to adopt AI is a top concern.
Content
Three-quarters of CEOs consider mergers and acquisitions, the competitive environment, and disruptive new business models as an opening for growth. To thrive, businesses must use a flexible operating model, the report notes . CEOs of NYSE-listed companies indicated that their “top two workforce priorities are breaking down business silos to create a more unified franchise, cited by 59% of CEOs, and empowering top leaders and managers to decentralize decision-making, named by 53%.”
Three-quarters of CEOs consider mergers and acquisitions, the competitive environment, and disruptive new business models as an opening for growth. To thrive, businesses must use a flexible operating model, the report notes. CEOs of NYSE-listed companies indicated that their “top two workforce priorities are breaking down business silos to create a more unified franchise, cited by 59% of CEOs, and empowering top leaders and managers to decentralize decision-making, named by 53%.”
Content
In the WorkLife article, “HR Playbook: People Managers in Eye of Storm as Trump’s Tariffs Lash Workforce Strategies,” Patrice Williams-Lindo, CEO of Career Nomad, a career coaching business, advises taking a “strategic triage” approach. She describes it as mapping the potential effects of tariffs, putting forth various scenarios based on mild, moderate, and severe levels. Then, consider the workforce adjustments for each concern. Understanding that employees are anxious, Williams-Lindo recommends robust communication: “Transparency becomes oxygen for organizational health.”
In the WorkLife article, “HR Playbook: People Managers in Eye of Storm as Trump’s Tariffs Lash Workforce Strategies,” Patrice Williams-Lindo, CEO of Career Nomad, a career coaching business, advises taking a “strategic triage” approach. She describes it as mapping the potential effects of tariffs, putting forth various scenarios based on mild, moderate, and severe levels. Then, consider the workforce adjustments for each concern. Understanding that employees are anxious, Williams-Lindo recommends robust communication: “Transparency becomes oxygen for organizational health.”
Content
To make decisions during global turmoil, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Human Capital Trends report recommends the following ideas.
To make decisions during global turmoil, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Human Capital Trends report recommends the following ideas.
Content
Use the right data, not just the data that’s at your fingertips. “Focus on metrics that measure human outcomes, such as data on skills development and employability; emotional, mental, physical, social, and financial well-being; career stability and advancement opportunities; and societal impact.”
Use the right data, not just the data that’s at your fingertips. “Focus on metrics that measure human outcomes, such as data on skills development and employability; emotional, mental, physical, social, and financial well-being; career stability and advancement opportunities; and societal impact.”
Content
Seek out opinions and expertise of many leaders. Make informed decisions while moving forward—trying to come to a consensus may slow you down.
Seek out opinions and expertise of many leaders. Make informed decisions while moving forward—trying to come to a consensus may slow you down.
Content
Given the uncertainty of tariff imposition, Boston Consulting Group advises, “Management decision making just got a lot more complicated. Every company, regardless of sector or location, needs to build tariffs and the related uncertainty into its planning and operating model.”
Given the uncertainty of tariff imposition, Boston Consulting Group advises, “Management decision making just got a lot more complicated. Every company, regardless of sector or location, needs to build tariffs and the related uncertainty into its planning and operating model.”
Content
Questions to ask include “How do companies build greater resilience and flexibility into their supply chains and networks without overloading their cost structures?” and “Do the new tariffs give China, Europe, and other markets an opportunity to take away global share from US-based companies?”
Questions to ask include “How do companies build greater resilience and flexibility into their supply chains and networks without overloading their cost structures?” and “Do the new tariffs give China, Europe, and other markets an opportunity to take away global share from US-based companies?”
Content
Read more from Talent Development Leader.