Ken Banta Explores How Leaders Read the Road Ahead in New Substack Article

Ken Banta, Founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network, has released a new Substack article titled “What High-Performance Leaders Know About Reading the Road Ahead,” published December 17, 2025.

In this forward-looking piece, Banta reflects on what distinguishes leaders who consistently outperform in times of disruption. Drawing on a recent Vanguard Network conversation with life sciences CEOs, including insights from Fred Hassan, the article examines how the best leaders scan the horizon rather than simply react to events as they unfold.

The article explores emerging forces shaping 2026—from tech-enabled bioscience and AI adoption to global healthcare constraints and the rising influence of China as an innovation engine. Banta argues that future-ready leaders connect science, data, and strategy, using disruption as a catalyst for reinvention rather than a source of paralysis.

“What High-Performance Leaders Know About Reading the Road Ahead” offers a thoughtful lens on leadership by design—and why looking around corners will define success in the year ahead.

To read the full article on Substack, click here.

About The Vanguard Network

The Vanguard Network is a leadership community and advisory platform that helps senior executives sharpen foresight, strengthen performance, and achieve impact. Through forums, exchanges, and programs, Vanguard convenes leaders across industries to share challenges and solutions in a confidential, collaborative setting.