Having well-prepared leaders who easily shift between visionary, codeveloper, and steward roles gives companies three times the competitive edge as having only more mature AI tools, according to a 2026 BCG survey.
Worldwide, companies with both well-prepared leaders and a high level of AI maturity see an 80% lift in competitive performance, the 2026 BCG research report finds.
Leaders at companies with highly mature AI systems are 75% more likely to experiment with AI technology regularly, seek feedback, and adapt, according to 2026 BCG research.
The Scouting motto—be prepared—has new meaning in the AI era.
Today, organizations are more likely to outperform competitors when their top executives are well prepared—when they are ready to meet the opportunities and challenges of the day and have
what it takes for long-term success. In fact, organizations whose executives are well prepared gain three times the competitive boost they get from having a more mature AI deployment, according
to new BCG research. (See the sidebar, “About Our Research.”)
To understand what distinguishes well-prepared executives and where others fall short, we surveyed 563 global executives, including CEOs, C-suite leaders, vice presidents, and director-level managers. Respondents ranged in age from under 35 to over 65. The respondents’ organizations have annual revenue of $10 million to more than $10 billion, represent a variety of countries and industries, and have AI practices that range from still developing to mature.