A Best of Barry: CEO--Decisive leader or PR guy?

In this economy, it's interesting to see what's happened to the CEO position. Is the CEO the dynamic, hard-charging, take-no-prisoners leader? Or is the CEO the lovable, charismatic, brand magnet?

Many of the CEOs were chosen years ago when the economy was robust. Those CEOs needed to be a magnet--the person that made the employees feel better, feel included and excited. But now, that's not the priority. Many of those employees are gone. The decisions are much tougher.

Now there's a mandate to ensure the corporation survives. Being the feelgood CEO won't cut it. Give employees credit--they know it. They want more than charisma; they want real, grounded hope that things are on the right path.

That requires decisive leadership, which may mean feathers are ruffled and convention (business as usual) is questioned. And who better to deliver that message than a charismatic, brand magnet?


Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
Originally posted 10/16/09
www.labov.com