CEOs Who Need to Hand Over the Keys

Disney cannot keep resolving failed succession by returning to Iger. A company built on enduring characters needs leadership that can survive one executive’s departure.

Dimon led JPMorgan through crises and built the strongest American bank. Its governance should now prove that the institution can outlast his personality.

Son’s vision created extraordinary gains and equally memorable losses. SoftBank’s concentrated AI bets need a leader or structure capable of challenging his conviction.

Tesla needs a chief executive whose time and public attention belong mainly to the car, energy and robotics businesses. Musk is spread across too many institutions.

Schwarzman built Blackstone into an enormous alternative-asset manager. The succession should become unmistakable before his continued presence starts obscuring capable deputies.

Fairbank co-founded Capital One and has run it for more than three decades. Testing institutional succession now matters more than preserving continuity.

Baidu repeatedly entered important technologies early without turning that lead into durable consumer dominance. New leadership could give the company a clearer identity.

Arnault assembled the modern luxury conglomerate, but family ownership makes transparent professional succession more important. Ambiguity can damage relatives and operating leaders alike.

Salesforce remains caught between Benioff’s expansion instinct and the discipline expected from mature enterprise software. A successor could choose a clearer operating identity.

Dell returned to lead a successful privatization and public-market comeback. A durable technology company should not require its founder for a third transformation.