A significant shift is underway in U.S. corporate boardrooms as directors prioritize growth over cost-cutting in 2025, according to a recent survey conducted by Diligent Institute, Corporate Board Member, and FTI Consulting. The “What Directors Think 2025” report reveals that 76% of surveyed directors have identified pursuing growth opportunities as their top priority for the year, marking a notable change from the previous years’ emphasis on efficiency and risk mitigation.
This renewed focus on growth reflects a broader optimism among corporate leaders, following a period marked by economic uncertainty and crisis management. Dottie Schindlinger, Executive Director at Diligent Institute, noted, “After years of navigating crises, most U.S. public company directors are approaching 2025 with a positive outlook, prioritizing growth and expansion.”
The survey, which included responses from over 200 directors of publicly traded U.S. companies, also highlighted strategy as the leading oversight challenge, with 42% of respondents citing it as their greatest difficulty. This underscores the importance of agile and forward-thinking approaches in today’s dynamic business environment.
In addition to growth and strategy, CEO succession planning has emerged as a rising concern. Approximately 34% of directors ranked improving CEO and board succession planning as a top priority for 2025, and 43% indicated that CEO and C-suite succession is a pressing topic for upcoming board meetings. This heightened attention to leadership continuity is driven by the recognition that sudden departures of key executives can significantly impact organizational strategy.
Geopolitical risks are also on the radar, particularly for companies with international exposure. Among such directors, 79% view geopolitical events as a threat to their business strategy, with 30% identifying them as a “significant to detrimental” risk. Despite this, only 10% are making managing geopolitical risks a priority in 2025, indicating a potential gap in risk preparedness.
The survey further reveals that boards are increasingly cautious about corporate communications in a polarized political climate. A substantial 85% of respondents see greater risk in speaking out on social issues compared to remaining silent. Moreover, 61% believe corporate officers should consult boards before making public statements that could pose a risk to the company, and 50% support the board’s right to take action against executives who make harmful public statements.
Cybersecurity remains a critical concern, though it has shifted in the hierarchy of challenges. While 71% of directors regularly meet with cybersecurity leaders to discuss evolving risks and strategies, only 51% have reviewed their incident identification and disclosure processes. This suggests a need for more proactive measures to bridge the gap between awareness and action in cybersecurity oversight.
In summary, U.S. corporate boards are entering 2025 with a renewed emphasis on growth, strategic agility, and leadership continuity, while also grappling with the complexities of geopolitical risks, corporate communications, and cybersecurity. These findings indicate a transformative period in corporate governance, as directors navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving business landscape.
