It’s easy to view the debates between company leaders and employees over return-to-office mandates as overreaction on both sides: out-of-touch senior executives who don’t understand that the world has changed versus pampered, entitled, and unmotivated workers. But the fury the debates produce suggests that there is a deeper problem: a shifting psychological contract between employees and employers, and not just about return-to-office policies.

Corporate boards often rely on backward-looking data when selecting CEOs, leading to flawed decisions. To improve the selection process, boards should ask candidates to create a growth plan that outlines their vision for the company’s future, providing a structured and comparative look at their strategic thinking. This approach not only helps in assessing the candidate’s alignment with the company’s goals but also fosters accountability and transparency in the appointment process.