Ongoing wars abroad, political division and election year uncertainty in the United States, along with continuing state, federal, and global regulatory discord on sustainability and artificial intelligence, among other issues, are just some of the factors shaping the business landscape in the months ahead. While board directors have had a crash course in operating under pressure in recent years, asking tough questions, particularly regarding management’s scenario planning and preparedness, remains critical—and challenging.

Originally published in Directors Quarterly: July 2024.