Managing CEO Performance in a Volatile World: The Geopolitical Landscape in 2025

The year 2024 was marked by significant geopolitical change, from the ongoing war in Ukraine to the sudden  toppling of the Assad regime in Syria. Voters in more than 60 countries around the world went to the polls. Political instability came to  both developed economies (such as France and South Korea) and emerging markets (such as South Africa). Meanwhile, the global economy is still plagued with uncertainty, as the prospect of recession and the possibility of hampered global trade due to tariff policies and geopolitical factors still loom. Inflation may continue to be a risk in the backdrop as developed economies are well into a rate-cut cycle. This panel discussion explored how boards can help CEOs respond to ongoing and emerging geopolitical risks in 2025. In addition, the panelists shed light on the implications of these risks to CEO performance and compensation.