This Week's Top Five Leadership Stories

Inside Google’s $692m Pay Deal for CEO Sundar Pichai

Sundar Pichai’s new pay package could be worth US$692m. 

The figure, which will make him one of the highest paid CEOs worldwide, was revealed in a new compensation plan filed by Google parent company Alphabet with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

While Sundar’s previous pay plans were mostly tied to Alphabet’s overall stock price, this new three-year package shows a distinct move away from ‘just’ running Google to growing future operations.

Pay for the CEO is now linked to the performance of two of Alphabet’s other businesses: autonomous driving startup Waymo and drone delivery company Wing. 

The SEC filing, dated 4 March, says: “The committee recognises Mr Pichai’s strong performance as CEO.” 

It adds: “Current and previous incentives in Mr Pichai’s compensation have benefitted Alphabet and its stockholders significantly. 

“In making this award, the committee has determined that further incentivising [him] to focus on his efforts on developing and scaling Alphabet’s later stage ‘other bets’, such as Waymo and Wing, is in the best interests of Alphabet and its stockholders, and is designed to maximise long-term stockholder value.”

Can Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe Halt Slump After EVs U-Turn?

Honda Motor Co. is undergoing a significant organisational shift under the leadership of its CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, as the company revealed its 2025 accounts, including a first-ever annual loss.

The company has decided to cancel the development and market launch of three EV models planned for production in North America. Toshihiro said: "The outlook is very challenging. However, we would like to explain the circumstances leading to this management decision and the future direction for rebuilding the mid- to long-term strategy for our automobile business."

This management decision follows a slowdown in the EV market and declining competitiveness in Asia. Honda expects to record substantial financial losses, but says it is is committed to rebuilding its strategy.

Toshihiro said: "What is expected of the Honda management team now is not to justify the past, but to face this reality squarely."

CEO Ola Källenius Unveils Mercedes's Grand Limousine EV

When it comes to product launches, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius is having a good run. 

Only last month Ola, who has led the company for nearly seven years, was introducing the world to the latest iteration of the German brand’s luxury S-Class Saloon – a combination, he said, of style and innovation that “deserves a closer look”.

Now it’s the turn of the all-new VLE, the first vehicle to be built on Mercedes’ new VAN.EA (Van Electric Architecture) platform, a digital multi-purpose design that will underpin a number of different electric commercial vehicles.

In typical Mercedes fashion, though, it’s not any ordinary van. Rather, says Ola, the VLE is “not entirely a new model, but creates a new segment we like to call: Grand Limousine. 

“The all-new VLE brings together the best of both worlds: the driving comfort and handling of a limousine, paired with the spaciousness, versatility and flexibility of an MPV. What more could one ask for?”

Women's Leadership Growth Stalls Across Global Markets

LinkedIn's 2026 State of Women in Leadership report finds that women only occupy 31% of leadership positions worldwide, despite accounting for 44% of the global workforce. 

The research demonstrates that female representation declines as careers progress. This becomes most apparent in executive roles, where the number of women falls by 30% in the step from Vice President to the C-suite.

Silvia Lara, Senior Data Scientist at LinkedIn, says that when discussing the experiences of women in the workplace, people need to "bring facts and data".

She says: "We need to move this month away from 'feel-good' statements that can inadvertently reinforce the exact preconceived notions that hold women back. Instead, focus the conversation on calling for the policy changes that tackle these systemic friction points."

Atlassian's CEO Announces 1,600 Job Cuts Amid AI Growth

Atlassian has announced in a memo to employees that it will be cutting 1,600 jobs – or around 10% of its workforce – to focus on AI and other growth initiatives. 

Employees impacted by the cuts were notified via email. 

In the memo shared on the company’s website, Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon Brookes explained that AI had fundamentally changed the company’s workforce needs. 

He writes: “It would be disingenuous to pretend AI doesn't change the mix of skills we need or the number of roles required in certain areas. It does.”

He continued: “I believe this is the right decision for Atlassian. But that doesn't mean it's easy. Far from it. I know this has a huge impact on each of you, and it weighs heavily on me and Atlassian today.”