"At the start of a new year, it's human nature to want a crystal ball: What lies ahead, and how will it affect us? This feeling is particularly acute in times of uncertainty, when the ability to engage in meaningful foresight can feel elusive at best. And whether the world is objectively more volatile, it certainly feels that way to CEOs: Based on our analysis of earnings calls, 2025 saw a significant spike in discussions about uncertainty, with little sign of abating in 2026."
"Wendi Backler is the global lead for growth and innovation analytics and the co-lead of strategic foresight at Boston Consulting Group. She is a fellow at the BCG Henderson Institute. is the global lead for creativity and scenarios and co-lead for strategic foresight at Boston Consulting Group, and a fellow at the BCG Henderson Institute. He is co-author of Alan Iny Thinking in New Boxes (Random House). Moe Turner is in management consulting at the Boston Consulting Group, where she works with companies and investors on strategy and investment decisions. She is an ambassador with the BCG Henderson Institute."
At the start of a new year people seek clear forecasts of what lies ahead and how events will affect them. That desire intensifies during periods of uncertainty, when the capacity to produce meaningful foresight often feels elusive. Many executives, particularly CEOs, perceive increased volatility in the external environment and express elevated concern about uncertainty. An analysis of corporate earnings calls identified a substantial rise in uncertainty-related discussions in 2025. Those conversations showed little sign of abating into 2026, underscoring persistent focus on uncertainty among business leaders.
Read at Harvard Business Review
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