Despite inflation, weak demand, and global instability, CEOs aren’t backing down. But the definition of growth has fundamentally changed.
Despite inflation, geopolitical instability, technological disruption and an increasingly complex operating environment, Australian and New Zealand business leaders remain “Cautiously optimistic” are planning “Prudent growth under pressure”according to a 2026 CEO Institute research report.
The white paper detailing the findings of the study, now in its ninth year, was published by Pronto Software, a leading Australian-owned enterprise resource planning (ERP) and analytics software provider, in partnership with The CEO Institute. Drawing on insights from senior business leaders in Australia and New Zealand, this report reveals how CEOs are recalibrating strategy, reassessing risk and investing selectively to build resilience in a time of structured volatility.
Uncertainty is now the norm, but our findings suggest that leaders are not standing still. From AI and digital capabilities to supply chains, geopolitics and long-term planning, CEOs are increasingly treating disruption as a catalyst for more disciplined, future-ready decision-making.
Research reveals the biggest challenges facing CEOs
This research shows that leaders are responding to a complex mix of economic, technological, and geopolitical pressures, rather than a single dominant threat.
- inflation pressure This issue remains the most pressing issue overall and is felt most acutely in New Zealand.
- Consumer demand slows down is also having a significant impact, with approximately one in five respondents expecting it to have the greatest impact on their business performance in 2026.
- technology disruption It was ranked as the third most cited issue by . 16% of Australians and 18% of New Zealand Respondents reflected growing anxiety about the pace and impact of AI, automation and cyber risk.
- Labor supply and skills shortages It continues to attract significant attention, particularly in Australia. 15% of companies The external issues most likely to impact performance over the next 12 months are: 8% in New Zealand.
- Regulatory reform and policy change is also expected to have a significant impact and is cited as follows: 13% of Australians and 10% of New Zealand
Layered on top of these domestic pressures is the global instabilityit’s now the number one concern for people around you. 1 in 10 companies across the region.
Also read: AiThority interview with Zohaib Ahmed, co-founder and CEO of Resemble AI
AI, cyberattacks, technology, and the new world disorder
Technological disruption is exacerbating geopolitical risks; 13% Percentage of respondents who identify Cyberattacks related to state actors or geopolitical tensions Numbers as the biggest threat in 2026 chad gatesPronto Software’s managing director believes the actual level of exposure may have been underestimated.
“This number feels lower than it should be,” he says. “CEOs should probably be more concerned about state-sponsored cyber hacking, especially things like denial of service and putting people in the air.”
As volatility intensifies, many leaders are turning to AI to regain speed, visibility, and control. The survey revealed that 22% of Australians and 16% of New Zealand Businesses plan to prioritize digital transformation and innovation in 2026.
However, Gates cautions that many organizations are still unclear about what meaningful AI adoption looks like.
“We all think we need AI in our business, but we don’t always know what that actually means or how to get the most out of it. AI represents endless possibilities, endless opportunities, and endless fear of missing out. But concerns about security and AI deepfakes are also growing, because as technology accelerates, so does the cybersecurity arms race.”
Growth mindset under pressure
Despite these mounting pressures, the prevailing atmosphere among ANZ CEOs is not one of despair, but of “cautious growth under pressure”. According to this year’s CEO Institute research report: 41% with australian 57% Percentage of New Zealand respondents plan to grow and expand in 2026.
Richard WynnCEO Institute, describes leadership mindset as a combination of the following elements: “cautious optimism” and “Measured realism”.
“While CEOs see opportunities in front of them, they are very conscious of the constraints and shocks that may hit them from both the domestic economy and the geopolitical environment,” he says.
“Overall, the direction of travel is positive,” Wynn said. “Boards are increasingly asking the right questions about exposures, alliances, supply chains and regional strategy. The next step is to turn those questions into permanent agendas, clear risk appetite statements and concrete structural decisions, rather than occasional conversations when a crisis flares up again.”
About 2025 CEO Survey report
Now in its ninth year, Pronto Software’s partnership with The CEO Institute brings new insights into how senior business leaders in Australia and New Zealand are preparing for 2026. This white paper, based on a survey of 798 senior business leaders in Australia and New Zealand, explores how organizations are balancing growth ambitions with heightened risk in an era defined by geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruption and rapid technological change.
The findings reveal a leadership mindset shaped by pragmatism and determination. While volatility is the norm, CEOs are not standing still. We are recalibrating our strategy, strengthening our foundations, and investing selectively to build resilience and selectivity. From AI and digital capabilities to supply chain and long-term planning, this report captures how leaders are turning uncertainty into a catalyst for more disciplined, future-ready decisions.
About pronto software
Pronto Software is an Australian development company that creates award-winning business management and analytics solutions. Our ERP software, Pronto Xi, integrates accounting, operations, and mobile functionality into one system to optimize business processes and derive actionable insights. More than 1,500 organizations have leveraged our industry experience and innovation to increase growth and revenue.
Also read: The Death of Surveys: Automating RFP Responses with GenAI
[To share your insights with us, please write to psen@itechseries.com]
