Increasingly disruptive global challenges, such as income inequality, cybersecurity, and climate change, pose direct risks to long-term economic and business growth. Governments are increasingly unable to respond effectively to these challenges. At the same time, corporations have grown more powerful, and employees, customers and other stakeholders expect CEOs to lead the way in addressing them.
The latest EY CEO Imperative Study, created by EYQ, reveals we have now arrived at a tipping point, as CEOs, board directors and institutional investors of the world’s largest companies align on the need for corporate action.
In this episode of The Better Question, EYQ Fellow Chris Meyer and Yassmin Abdel-Magied are joined by Daryl Brewster, CEO of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, and Jan Babiak, Independent Board Member and Audit Committee Chair.
Chris and Yassmin’s guests discuss the findings of the 2019 CEO Imperative Study, particularly the support of Board members and investors to act on global challenges. But, most importantly, they discuss the importance of the CEO in taking the lead. CEOs can no longer remain on the sidelines of global challenges, nor must they ask permission to be at the forefront of solutions — it’s both an expectation and a new growth imperative.
Learning outcomes
- CEOs, boards, and investors are aligned in support of companies creating value for all stakeholders
- Aligning action with your organization’s industry, geography and purpose is crucial
- The role of the board in addressing global challenges is to provide support, guidance and direction, but it is for the CEO to lead
- Acting on global challenges, such as climate change or income inequality, is beyond the realm of corporate social responsibility – it’s a strategic necessity
For your convenience, full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.
Presenters
Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Writer, engineer and broadcaster
Christopher Meyer
Author. Innovator. Consultant. Entrepreneur.Organizers
John de Yonge
EY Global Markets EYQ Global Insights DirectorPodcast
Episode 15
Duration 40m 46s
In this series
Series overviewFor CEO’s, are the days of sidelining global challenges numbered?
Episode 15
Presenters
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Who will tackle the issues that matter: capital or the capitol?
Episode 14
Presenters
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Why is Africa more than just a matter of time?
Episode 13
Presenters
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As the balance shifts, how heavily does China’s influence weigh?
Episode 12
Presenters
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How can we make common ground the foundation for real change?
Episode 11
Presenters
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Author. Innovator. Consultant. Entrepreneur.
How will personal purpose shape the future of work?
Episode 10
Presenters
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Author. Innovator. Consultant. Entrepreneur.
When will society be ready to harness AI’s potential?
Episode 09
Presenters
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Author. Innovator. Consultant. Entrepreneur.
How can questions be a source of competitive advantage?
Episode 08
Presenters
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EY Global Brand & Marketing Leader
