
Why Recessions Forge Great CEOs Who Think Beyond Cost-Cutting
But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
January 22, 2025: Brazil experienced a devastating wildfire surge in 2024, with 30.8 million hectares (119,000 square miles) of land destroyed—an area larger than Italy. According to the monitoring platform MapBiomas, this represents a 79% increase from 2023 and marks the largest burned area since 2019. The Amazon, a critical carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot, bore the brunt of the destruction, accounting for 58% of the total damage.
The fires consumed 8.5 million hectares of forest, quadrupling the amount burned in 2023. For the first time, forested areas suffered more damage than grasslands, a troubling trend scientists warn could make these ecosystems more vulnerable to future fires. Drought conditions exacerbated by climate change contributed to the intensity of the fires.
However, the primary cause remains illegal land clearing by farmers and ranchers seeking to expand agricultural and grazing lands.
The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has faced mounting challenges in addressing this environmental crisis. Lula has prioritized Amazon preservation and is set to host the COP30 climate conference in the Amazonian city of Belém later this year. However, he acknowledged in September that the country was not fully prepared to tackle the wave of fires, referring to the situation as “climate terrorism.”
Satellite data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) revealed 140,328 fires in 2024, a 42% increase compared to 2023 and the highest number in 17 years. This surge comes despite earlier reports of reduced deforestation, which had fallen 30% in the 12 months leading up to August 2024.
Environmental experts warn that continued deforestation and increased wildfire activity could push the Amazon past a tipping point, transforming it from a carbon sink into a carbon emitter. This would accelerate global climate change and further threaten biodiversity. Addressing these challenges will require enhanced enforcement of environmental protections, investment in fire prevention strategies, and international collaboration to combat illegal land use.
But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
Companies invest millions in leadership development, yet many of their best executives leave within a few years. Why?
The most successful business leaders don’t just identify gaps in the market; they anticipate future needs before anyone else.
With technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations, and global interconnectedness, the role of business leaders
The leadership landscape is profoundly changing, influenced by technological advancements, shifting workforce expectations, and the need for adaptability in an unpredictable global environment.
In the fast-paced business world, corporate leaders often find themselves at the crossroads of risk and reward, where bold decisions …
April 24, 2025: Silicon Valley is experiencing a sharp recalibration in artificial intelligence investment, with signs of AI fatigue emerging across venture capital
April 23, 2025: The Canadian government has introduced new legislation to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in education and healthcare, focusing on accountability,
April 17, 2025: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau s government is under growing political pressure over its current immigration strategy.
But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
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