What Are The Top Surprises New CEOs Experience?

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No one is ever completely ready to become CEO

—even if they’ve spent weeks, months, or years preparing for the role.

- Ramon Laguarta, CEO of PepsiCo

As a new CEO, you will face many challenges when you move into the top seat.

Some are expected.
Some will come as a huge surprise.
‍

Here’s what catches many new CEOs unaware.

Typically, surprises fall into two categories:

Outward factors
‍those that relate to the company or situation they’re operating in.

and

Inward factors
‍those that relate to the actions and reactions of the CEO.

So, what are the top four surprises new CEOs experience?

63%

of new CEOs are negatively surprised by the true state of the business.

Surprise #1 | Inward factor

Even with strong due diligence, it’s often incredibly hard to get a read on the operational and financial state of the business before you start. It’s common for CEOs to realize that things ‘aren’t exactly as they were written on the can.’

Source: CEO Transitions: Defining Success in the First 12 Months

43%

of new CEOs are surprised at the extent of required board interaction.

Surprise #2 | Outward factor

CEOs found they were spending more time, attention, and energy on the board than they had expected.

For some, the time spent on board-related activities was so significant that it affected the CEO’s plan of how they would allocate their time.

40%

of externally hired CEOs are surprised about the reality of the culture.

Surprise #3 | Outward factor

CEOs are often disappointed, and sometimes shocked, once they get into the business and experience it first-hand. Often the culture can be very different from how it was described.

Source: CEO Transitions: Defining Success in the First 12 Months

36%

of CEOs are surprised at the emotional weight of the role.

Surprise #4 | Inward factor

Most CEOs expect that they’ll be responsible for the organization and its people. But the magnitude of the role is still a surprise when it becomes a reality.

Source: CEO Transitions: Defining Success in the First 12 Months

Remember, you can’t know the unknowns.

But, how well and how quickly you understand, accept, and confront these four surprises will have a lot to do with your success—or failure—as a new CEO.

Discover more about how new CEOs can nail their first 12-18 months in our latest book, authored by Ty Wiggins, RRA Leadership Advisor, including how to:

Balance listening and action.

Burst the CEO bubble.

Get your messaging right.

Move quickly on your team.

Effectively engage the board and investors.

Evolve your culture.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY

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How we support CEO transitions

Your odds for success as a new CEO can be significantly improved with a comprehensive CEO transition advisory program.

We help you navigate your first year in role, so you start well and perform quickly—minus the common mistakes.

Learn more

Praise for The New CEO

A must-read, packed with real-world wisdom from leading CEOs and backed by in-depth research. This isn’t just another leadership book; it’s a lifeline for new CEOs, offering concrete strategies for a successful start. From setting priorities and dealing with crisis to building your team and engaging your board—this book covers it. A great gift for any new CEO.”

Hubert Joly
Former Best Buy CEO, senior lecturer Harvard Business School, and Author, The Heart of Business

In a fast-moving world, having a practical, pragmatic, and purposeful approach for stepping into the CEO role is more important than ever. In The New CEO, Ty provides just the right blend of strategic and tactical counsel to accelerate your CEO transition for sustainable success. A must-read for seasoned and next-generation CEOs.”

Alex Gorsky
Board member of Apple and IBM, and former Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson

Ty Wiggins has made it his career to help new CEOs deliver a strong start. He distills his rich experience in this trusted step-by-step guide that will help you tackle the issues you face during your transition. This is a critical book for all new CEOs—and those who work with them—and it could not have come at a more important time.”

Nancy McKinstry
CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Wolters Kluwer

Having Ty as my advisor was one of the most valuable assets I had in navigating my first year as a CEO. Now even more leaders can benefit from his expertise. Every new CEO faces different challenges—but the advice, anecdotes, and research in this book will help any new corporate leader lay the groundwork for their long-term success.”

Katie Koch
President and CEO, The TCW Group

For all the attention on new CEOs, there is little objective guidance on how to nail your first 12 months in office. The New CEO offers a clear path forward. Blending in-depth research and powerful stories, Ty offers a critical guide on how to win as a new CEO— and deliver standout results for you and your organization.”

Oscar Munoz
Board member of Salesforce, former CEO and Chairman of United Airlines, and Author, Turnaround Time