Everything on Leadership & Succession

External hires often fail in companies with unique, strong cultures due to mismatched management styles. The failure of Bill Perez at Nike highlights the risk of importing hierarchical structures into collaborative environments.

Impact: Companies should prioritize internal candidates for CEO roles to ensure cultural continuity and reduce the risk of strategic misalignment during leadership transitions.

— from Nike's Culture, Succession, and Innovation Strategy · HBR On Leadership· Mar 11, 2026