Almost half (45%) of CEOs fear losing their jobs and four out of 10 feel more anxious in their roles than last year, a new survey has found, with pressure from a range of ‘disruptive forces’ leaving them “grappling with anxiety, insecurity, and uncertainty”.
The AlixPartners 2026 Disruption Index, which surveyed 3,200 CEOs and senior executives across 11 countries, found that almost three-quarters (72%) of CEOs are finding it increasingly difficult to determine which disruptive forces to prioritize, up from 67% last year. Additionally, CEOs say they are struggling with heightened anxiety because of internal challenges and the broader business landscape.
This sense of malaise among CEOs is exacerbated by the apparent complacency of their C-suite colleagues. Although seven out of 10 (70%) of CEOs report high levels of disruption, only four out of 10 (39%) of other C-suite executives feel the same. Overall, more than half of CEOs believe their teams lack the agility to respond effectively, and worry their companies are not adapting fast enough. In the UK, more than four out of 10 CEOs said their leadership teams lack the agility to keep up with competitors, the highest proportion of any country surveyed.
As disruption and anxiety intensify, 85% of CEOs say they need greater professional and personal support and 45% of CEOs say they have fallen behind the curve in knowledge base and skillsets. CEOs are also facing mounting pressure and increasingly bearing the weight of that accountability alone.
“CEOs are steering through an era defined by relentless macroeconomic headwinds and market volatility,” said David Garfield, Co-CEO of AlixPartners. “In this climate, agility, and discernment aren’t optional - they’re essential for survival. Rather than shoulder the pressure alone, CEOs must drive urgency and alignment across their senior teams; this has become a defining leadership challenge, and one of the most critical determinants of sustained growth."
As to what issues are preying on the minds of CEOs, inflation remains a significant concern, with half of all executives identifying it as one of the top disruptors impacting their business. Impending layoffs are also top of mind as continuous advancements in AI are forcing today’s leaders to reevaluate their current workforce.
AI is rapidly shaping C-suite priorities as companies move from experimentation to implementation. CEOs are seeing the greatest opportunities in AI and machine learning, with eight out of 10 (80%) optimistic about the impact that AI is having on their company as a whole. But on the flip-side, executives at companies that report leading in AI adoption say they are more anxious than their peers. They also score higher on their assessment of perceived disruption. Meanwhile, almost half of CEOs (44%) expect layoffs of 10% or more in the next five years as a result of AI.
According to the Disruption Index, the companies that will emerge the strongest from this environment are those that take bold, strategic action in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty such as ramping up investments to strengthen resilience against global volatility, evolving their product portfolios and intensifying investment in risk management and regulatory compliance.
“Leaders of the fastest-growing companies aren’t just keeping pace with change, they’re rewriting the playbook in real time,” said AlixPartners’ Executive Chairman Simon Freakley. “By reshoring operations, enhancing compliance, and navigating shifting geopolitical dynamics, these growth leaders demonstrate that decisive transformation isn’t just a response to uncertainty - it’s the foundation for enduring success."
