Can Executive Orders Drive Change? Or Do We Think About Change Differently?

The Josh Bersin Company

Change and transformation is the theme for 2025. 53% of CEOs believe their company will not exist in ten years, with iconic brands like Starbucks, Boeing, Nike, Intel, Southwest, and Target going through turnarounds. And 93% of CEOs believe AI will totally transform their operating model. (PwC CEO Survey.)

At the same time we’re witnessing a massive “change management” push in the US Federal Government, driven by 200+ executive orders and other communications. The big issue i discuss is “will this form of change even work?” Do “Executive Orders” help people understand and embrace mandates for change?

While political change is not the right model for business, I want to point out how risky this approach may be. Putting aside political issues themselves, I think we’re about to learn a big lesson on “how to create enduring change.” Yes, sometimes things have to happen fast, but in most cases culture is built over years and individuals must be included in the process.

And that goes for AI transformation too, as I discuss in the podcast.

If you want to learn more about the topic of change, I encourage you to check out our Josh Bersin Academy program “Change Agility.”

And please read my book Irresistible, which is now one of the highest rated business books on Amazon.

Additional Information

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The Rise Of The Superworker: Delivering On The Promise of AI

Elevating Equity: Certificate Program in The Josh Bersin Academy

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