The CEO firings of the past two years reveal a consistent pattern: a board loses patience, a "strategic review" leaks, a "mutual decision" is announced, and a new CEO blames the last. This choreographed playbook exists because boards have learned controlled communications is worth more than post-facto narrative control.
Executive reputation is the most valuable and most fragile asset for companies. It's built over years through operational track record, strategic narrative, public communication discipline, and industry credibility. However, it can be lost in 90 minutes due to personal-conduct allegations, public-statement crises, or legal exposure. CEOs who prioritize crisis preparedness are more likely to maintain their reputation.
A 90-second Instagram video posted by McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski — promoting the new Big Arch burger — produced more competitor marketing leverage for Burger King and Wendy's than any McDonald's launch communications had generated in years. The case is now the reference for CEO authenticity crisis communications in 2026.
CEO and senior-comms search runs through Heidrick & Struggles, Egon Zehnder, Spencer Stuart, Russell Reynolds, Korn Ferry. 90-180 day timelines, 28-33% fees, AI Communications fluency now table stakes for CMO and CCO roles.
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