The United States and great power relations reflected in companies

If anyone still thought that voting doesn’t make a difference, they have likely changed their mind by now. The world looks very different today compared to last year. In 2024, a record-breaking 1.7 billion people – more than ever in history – expressed their will through voting.

One of the consequences of this extraordinary election year is that political impacts are spilling over into the business world in unprecedented ways. If old rules no longer apply in politics, they may not hold in business either. Executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates recently released data showing an exceptionally high turnover rate among CEOs last year. The intensifying great power rivalry, geopolitics, and postmodern diplomacy demand a different skill set than leading a company in a world where the “old” rules applied and agreements were made on international forums.

Other sources convey the same message. The annual CEO Outlook Pulse 2025 survey by consultancy firm EY reveals that 99% of all businesses have had to adjust their operational and investment plans due to geopolitical developments. Forty percent of companies had halted a previously agreed investment project due to global instability, and 71% plan to reorganize their supply chains.

The level of leadership turnover caused by political change is so significant that Russell Reynolds has announced the launch of a Global CEO Turnover Index. The core idea behind this tracking is that skills that were relevant last year may no longer be sufficient in 2025.

For us at Miltton USA, this is particularly interesting because our mission is to stay attuned to these changes. We provide European business representatives with the contacts and insights that clarify ongoing developments and place them in a realistic context – helping distinguish rhetoric from substance.

Our best response to this need is our annual programs in Washington, D.C. We work year-round to deliver an intensive overview of the latest developments in the economy, security, technology, and international politics through our Washington Update and Study Tour programs. We engage with the world’s leading thinkers and influencers, allowing us to challenge and refine our assumptions.

We have just opened registration for our fall programs, which offer up-to-date insights into the current landscape. October’s Washington Update includes a review of federal procurement, with speakers from the Pentagon and NASA. November’s Study Tour will focus specifically on artificial intelligence, hosted by Miltton Group board member Tero Ojanperä.