Four Ceo Behaviors That Drive Future Success

The greatest risk for CEOs today isn’t betting big. It’s hesitation that leaves opportunity on the table.

But what does it take to jolt CEOs from crippling indecision to action?

Learn the essential steps to bold bets and no regrets from Alan Iny, BCG’s Director of Creativity & Scenarios, and Christine Barton, North American Lead of CEO Advisory.

Summary
Given today’s uncertainty and the disruption unleashed by AI and geopolitics, CEOs might be tempted to avoid risk. But being too cautious comes with its own hazards: missed opportunities to expand market share, enhance the brand, or drive innovation.

CEOs must evolve from fixating on possible setbacks to taking on the genuine peril threatening their businesses: inaction. Risk is a two-sided coin. It is also a major source of advantage.

What moves should CEOs make in measuring and assessing risk, setting vision, communicating, and exposing and eliminating biases? Hear firsthand from BCG’s Alan Iny and Christine Barton.

Chapters
[0:00] Intro
[0:33] What CEOs tell BCG about risk
[1:00] Put a price on waiting
[1:47] Balance operating and investing
[2:23] Get out of the echo chamber
[3:18] Challenge what you think you know

Meet the Experts
Alan Iny
BCG Partner and Director of Creativity & Scenarios

Author, Thinking in New Boxes
BCG Henderson Institute Fellow
https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/alan-iny

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaniny/

Christine Barton
BCG North American Lead of CEO Advisory
Managing Partner and Senior Director

https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/christine-barton

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-barton-486ab/

Check out BCG’s CEO’s Guides

CEO’s Guide to Bolder Bets and Fewer Regrets

https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/ceos-guide-bolder-bets-fewer-regrets

CEO’s Guide to Growth in 2026

https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/the-ceos-guide-to-growth-seizing-opportunity

About BCG’s CEO Agenda

The CEO agenda is a formidable one: generating profitable growth, managing costs, navigating geopolitics, harnessing AI, empowering talent, and advancing sustainability. BCG’s insights help CEOs make sense of the world, solve business challenges, and excel at shaping their companies, their industries, and the world at large.

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