The new COO

2026

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This report details the evolving role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) from an efficiency engineer to a strategic business orchestrator, essential for navigating complex modern business landscapes.

* Explores the three overlapping waves shaping the COO agenda through 2030: resilient and digital foundations, AI-enabled and sustainable operations, and expanding ecosystems.
* Identifies five key forces driving the COO's evolving responsibilities, including external shocks, technology maturation, sustainability pressures, business model disruption, and workforce challenges.
* Outlines pathways within the C-suite for COOs, highlighting the shift towards deepening specialization and ecosystem orchestration over traditional CEO transitions.

Tags: COO, operations, strategy, transformation, leadership

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