Highspring Study Reveals CFOs See Twice As Much Exposure As CEOs
News related to:Highspring · 2 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 30, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Highspring, a global professional services provider, has released findings from its latest study, "Planning for the Unexpected," which surveyed 1,137 executives in the United States and Canada. The research highlights significant differences in how CFOs and CEOs perceive their organizations' preparedness for major disruptions.
According to the study, CFOs see roughly twice as much exposure as CEOs across each of the 10 business functions examined. This divide extends to other C-suite positions as well, with only 30% of CIOs expressing very high confidence that their company could handle a major disruption, compared to 52% of CEOs. These findings suggest a broader disconnect between leadership perspectives, indicating that where executives sit in the organizational hierarchy can shape their perception of risk and preparedness.
Brian Waller, CEO and Co-Founder of Highspring, emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives within leadership teams.
The study also found that while 92% of leaders are confident their company could handle a major unexpected disruption, only 47% say their corporate planning regularly accounts for unexpected events. This 45-percentage-point confidence gap highlights a significant disconnect between leadership confidence and actual preparedness.
Operational challenges were also a focus of the study. Leaders identified 21 different issues complicating operations, indicating a fragmented approach to addressing disruptions.
The survey was fielded from August 27 to September 1, 2026. Highspring, with more than 10,000 employees across 45+ offices worldwide, continues to offer consulting, managed services, and talent solutions to help organizations thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Other key findings of the study include: - Talent emerges as a critical constraint: People-related issues account for three of the top six challenges identified by respondents, including retention and reskilling. - More than half (52%) of companies surveyed are currently starting, finishing, or rewriting a strategic plan, creating an opportunity for organizations to determine how their resilience and transformation initiatives fit together rather than continuing to operate them as separate programs.
These insights underscore the need for organizations to align their strategies and ensure that all levels of leadership are aligned on the risks and opportunities facing the business. The study provides valuable insights for executives and leadership teams looking to enhance their organization's resilience and preparedness for unexpected disruptions.