2026 CEO & Board Confidence Monitor: Explore the data

Explore the results of our third annual global survey of CEOs and board members by market, industry, ownership structure, and company size.

April 13, 2026

Methodology

In fall 2025, Heidrick & Struggles fielded an online survey that garnered 1,921 respondents. Of those, 71% were CEOs and 29% were directors. Thirty-seven percent were in Europe; 35% in North America; 13% in Asia Pacific; 8% in the Middle East; 6% in Latin America; and 1% in Africa. Respondents represented companies of all sizes; 28% reported annual revenue of more than US $1 billion. Companies ranged across all industries and ownership structures.

Introduction

Heidrick & Struggles’ CEO and Board Confidence Monitor 2026 includes the perspectives of CEOs and directors across markets, sectors, size, and ownership structure.

This interactive dashboard allows you to explore three critical questions: the most significant issues CEOs and directors expect to face in 2026, their confidence in their organizations’ ability to manage those risks, and their confidence in key leadership capabilities.

Across company types, this dashboard reinforces a central theme from this year’s report: while the external environment remains volatile—marked by economic uncertainty, geopolitical complexity, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence—leaders are growing more confident in their ability to execute on their strategic priorities. This confidence reflects stronger organizational capabilities, particularly in areas where investments in governance, culture, and risk management have begun to pay off. Notable gaps persist, however, in long-term leadership continuity and in managing risks that sit largely outside organizational control.

Explore the data by market

These charts show the most significant issues leaders expect their organization to face in 2026, leaders’ confidence in the organization’s ability to manage those issues, and leaders’ confidence in their company’s organizational leadership capabilities. Navigate between the charts by clicking on the tabs below.