With Gen Z students struggling to read, academics have been forced to adapt—a move critics describe as “coddling” the next generation of workers.

“It’s fair to call this a hiring recession or a jobless boom,” said economist Heather Long.

Read up on the leaders who rose, resigned, and reshaped corporate America before the next wave of executive shifts in 2026.

Outgoing Walmart CEO Doug McMillon started out at the company making $6.50 hourly unloading trailers, and after four decades of climbing the ranks, he now fetches $75,000 every day.