APAC CEOs lead the charge in adaptive, inclusive leadership

Business leaders in Asia-Pacific are increasingly positioning themselves at the forefront of addressing societal challenges, particularly in climate action, sustainability, and the regulation of emerging technologies like AI.

This leadership shift was highlighted in a recent global CEO survey by leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder, which detailed how in contrast to their counterparts in Europe and North America, CEOs in Asia-Pacific are more focused on balancing innovation with sustainability. While climate change (32%) was ranked as the top opportunity for global business and government collaboration, CEOs in Asia-Pacific view AI regulation as slightly more critical, followed by climate change.

The survey also found that CEOs in Asia-Pacific are leading the charge towards a more adaptive and inclusive leadership style. Globally, 99% of CEOs emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of openness and curiosity, with 82% of leaders in Asia-Pacific specifically valuing the inclusion of diverse and challenging viewpoints—significantly higher than in Europe (56%) and North America (62%).

Personal transformation is another priority for leaders in Asia-Pacific, with 28% ranking self-transformation as extremely important, compared to just 14% in Europe.

Ang Wan May, Partner and Singapore Office Leader for Egon Zehnder, said, “Asia-Pacific CEOs are demonstrating a significant shift in leadership approaches, prioritising self-awareness and inclusivity as core qualities. This marks a departure from traditional, hierarchical leadership structures towards a more adaptive and forward-thinking model.”

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Amid growing uncertainties, 24% of CEOs in Asia-Pacific rated their preparedness to face global business complexities at seven out of 10, higher than leaders in Europe (16%) and North America (12%). This confidence reflects the region’s leadership in geopolitical instability, AI adoption, and talent development.

Michael Ensser, Global Chair of Egon Zehnder, concluded, “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.”