CEOs are getting older, and it's because companies want generalists

The age at which people become CEOs has risen sharply over the last few decades. This is because companies now prefer leaders with longer, more varied career paths, especially in uncertain times.

Companies used to pick CEOs who were specialists, often rising through the ranks of a single firm. Now, they are looking for people who have seen a lot of different things, even if it means they are older when they take the top job. This shift means that the path to the top is no longer a straight line, and a broader range of experiences is now more valuable.