In my last post, I wrote that One of a CEO’s primary roles is handling difficult people. This is because . . .

The CEO is the Chief Talent Officer of the company.

Yesterday, a CEO I work with shared how he has been managing talent at his company. He had two stories.

………………….

Leaders are accountable for the caliber of people working under them.

One of a CEO’s primary roles is handling difficult people.

I’ve heard several stories recently of CEOs dealing with one of their senior leaders whose behavior is detrimental to the organization.

At the least, senior leaders like these two are “prickly” – everybody moves gingerly around them, trying to avoid getting stung. At worst, they are “radioactive,” melting down everyone and everything they come in contact with.

The recent surge in suicides seems to parallel the surge in bad news that is touching all Leaders in some way right now. While only a few choose to take their life, many other Leaders are feeling the pressures build and the options fade. And herein lies more opportunity for bad choices . . .

Many are calling these events [in the financial markets] unprecedented. Leaders can be paralyzed by them; or they can “choose” to grow and respond accordingly.

A CEO frustrated with his board.
A Board frustrated with its CEO.
A Partner frustrated with his partner.
A Partner frustrated with HIS partner.
A CEO frustrated with her COO.
A COO frustrated with his CEO.
Boy, I run across these scenarios too often. I use the word “frustrated” because it represents the middle ground between “I want to have [...]

I’m always interested to see a list of “top leadership traits.” When I was still running a company, I would scan it and see how I measured up. Perhaps you do this.

On November 19th, the Wall Street Journal had this article:

“Tough CEOs Often Most Successful, a Study Finds.”

A week later, also in the WSJ, this title:

“Are You CEO Material? Find Out With This Test.”

Both articles referred to the same recent University of Chicago business school study. From the study, “here are five CEO traits that correlate most closely with business success . . . :” (Check yourself)