Join several BCG senior partners as they share their insights from their time on the ground at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. BCG invites you to an exclusive look at the forces shaping the CEO agenda in 2026.

BCG’s Judith Wallenstein, Aparna Bharadwaj, and Vlad Lukic discuss what they learned from their personal conversations with CEOs and global leaders at Davos. They share practical guidance for organizations preparing for the year ahead in AI, geopolitics, and other areas.

Chapters

Learn more:

BCG at Davos, https://www.bcg.com/about/partner-ecosystem/world-economic-forum/davos

BCG’s CEO Agenda, https://www.bcg.com/executives/ceo-agenda

Judith Wallenstein, Global Leader, CEO Advisory https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/judith-wallenstein

Aparna Bharadwaj, Global Leader, Global Advantage Practice https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/aparna-bharadwaj

Vlad Lukic, Global Leader, Tech and Digital Advantage https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/vladimir-lukic

CEOs must pursue growth transformation with the same rigor that they bring when they tackle costs. Tuukka Seppä, BCG’s global chair of transformation, explains why CEOs need bold targets, smart incentives, and relentless follow-through to scale effectively. He unpacks the common misconceptions that hold companies back, the impact of a chief transformation officer, and why this is the moment to shift from reacting to rebuilding.

Listen on podcast platforms: https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12

Learn More:

1. Tuukka Seppa: https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/tuukka-seppa
2. BCG’s Latest Thinking on Business Transformation: https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/business-transformation/insights
3. CEO’s Guide to Growth in 2026 article: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/the-ceos-guide-to-growth-seizing-opportunity
4. BCG at Davos 2026: https://www.bcg.com/about/partner-ecosystem/world-economic-forum/davos

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:28–00:55 What’s Your “So What” on Growth?

00:55–01:50 If Growth Is a Strategic Choice, What Does It Take to Succeed?

01:50–03:16 Why Do Some Companies Grow During Extreme Volatility?

03:16–04:13 What Does Structured Growth Leadership Look Like in Practice?

04:13–05:12 Can Too Much Discipline Limit Growth in a Volatile World?

05:12–06:03 How Do You Build Flexibility and Adaptability into Growth?

06:03–07:36 Is It Obvious Where Growth Should Come From? How Do Leaders Decide What Good Growth Is?

07:36–10:20 Why Do Two-Thirds of Companies Miss Growth Targets?

10:20–11:05 What Does “Growing from a Strong Base” Mean?

11:05–12:35 How Do You Measure Growth Without Killing It Too Early?

12:35–13:55 How Important Is a Chief Transformation Officer?

13:55–14:37 What Buffers Matter for Growth — and Why Now?

14:37–16:06 What’s the Typical Timeline for a Growth Transformation?

16:06–17:54 What Unlocks the Shift from Efficiency to Growth?

17:54–19:48 What Role Can AI Play in Accelerating Growth?

19:48–20:41 When Is the Right Time to Start a Growth Program?

20:41–21:33 The ‘Now What’

21:21–21:33 Outro

Rich Lesser, BCG’s global chair, and Martin Reeves, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute, reflect on the shocks and surprises that shaped the first half of the decade and what they reveal about the future. They explore the traits leaders need today: building trust, staying geopolitically aware, and adopting AI in a people-centered way.

Learn More:

Rich Lesser: https://on.bcg.com/4lZrWla

Martin Reeves: https://on.bcg.com/4lXaAVX

Winning in the 20s: https://on.bcg.com/4lpe1oo

Winning the ’20s: A Leadership Agenda for the Next Decade: https://on.bcg.com/40iscDs