The term “Consulting CEO” has emerged in today’s corporate world, reflecting a trend where experienced business leaders offer their expertise on a temporary or project basis, rather than as full-time, long-term CEOs. This concept is often linked to business leaders who are brought in to guide companies through strategic transitions, crises, or specific challenges that require specialized knowledge or leadership.
In some cases, a Consulting CEO is seen as a strategic advisor, providing executive-level advice without taking on the full-time role of running day-to-day operations. This role can be crucial for startups, growing businesses, or companies undergoing significant changes, where leadership guidance is needed to navigate complex decisions.
This evolution is part of broader shifts in the CEO role. Today’s corporate leaders are expected to be more versatile, embracing agile working methods and focusing on stakeholder capitalism, which considers the interests of employees, customers, and society as well as shareholders. Consulting CEOs can offer fresh perspectives, helping organizations align their operations with these emerging priorities.
This trend highlights how the traditional role of a CEO is adapting to new business realities, including temporary or advisory leadership models.