The So What from BCG High-Performing Leadership Teams Are Built, Not Bought
Feb 25, 2026
Khadija Ben Hammada, Merck KGaA Chief People Officer known for people strategy and org design. Judith Wallenstein, BCG CEO advisory lead with expertise in executive team performance. They discuss building teams grounded in trust, purpose, psychological safety. They cover the CEO’s role in shaping teams, hiring for potential and fit, the CEO–CPO partnership, and how to sustain high performance amid change.
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Psychological Safety Unlocks Better Decisions
- Psychological safety, clarity of ambition, and trust let teams surface risk and challenge without fear, improving decisions.
- Khadija Ben Hammada links emotional commitment to purpose and says teams that avoid tension miss better outcomes.
CEO Ownership Determines Team Quality
- The CEO is ultimately responsible for building and changing the executive team and often regrets not making tough changes earlier.
- Judith Wallenstein says only the CEO can reconfigure the top team and must hire complementary talent.
Hire For Future Potential Not Past Resume
- Hire for potential and what people can do tomorrow, not just past CV achievements.
- Khadija Ben Hammada advises recruiting people smarter than you, diverse in thought, and ready to challenge decisions.