The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) was proud to sponsor The Washington Post’s The ‘Ship series. Our President & CEO, Mike Hyter, joined Suzi Watford for The New CEO Playbook segment. During the discussion, Hyter shared insights from The ELC’s newly released findings from the second annual Voice of the Member survey—capturing the perspectives of over 200 C-suite and senior corporate executives on the evolving landscape of leadership.

The conversation spotlighted the role of sponsorship and the need to close the gap in the leadership pipeline. While most executives agree that senior sponsorship is the most impactful way to develop future leaders, there is still work to be done. Hyter emphasized that sponsorship must be intentional and transformative, offering real opportunities for growth and exposure.

The conversation also explored the need to “future-proof” leadership—developing talent who can thrive in disruption, adapt quickly, and lead with agility across intergenerational teams. With AI and strategic adaptability now outranking traditional skills like people management, Hyter noted that effective leadership in today’s climate requires both tech fluency and a human-centered approach. As he concluded, “Leadership still matters—and it’s the people, not the flowcharts, who will define the future.”

Watch the full segment here