Executive leadership strategy is a key element of long-term corporate success. Indeed, Babcock et al.’s research indicates “when executives consistently make decisions and investments with long-term objectives in mind, their companies generate more shareholder value, create more jobs, and contribute more to economic growth than do peer companies that focus on the short term” (2021, para. 1). Throughout this course you have been identifying and analyzing the leadership strategies that correlate with value creation, assists investors, managers, employees, and future executives with their goals.
select, research, and evaluate the leadership strategy of the CEO of a publicly traded company. Select a CEO from one these lists:
Full Answer Section
- Mary Barra (General Motors)
- Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway)
2. Global 100 CEOs (2023):
- Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX)
- Satya Nadella (Microsoft)
- Sundar Pichai (Alphabet/Google)
- Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway)
- Marc Benioff (Salesforce)
3. Most Admired CEOs (2023):
- Mary Barra (General Motors)
- Tim Cook (Apple)
- Satya Nadella (Microsoft)
- Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX)
- Sundar Pichai (Alphabet/Google)
Choosing a CEO from one of these lists ensures their company is publicly traded and recognized for its performance. Once you've made your selection, you can proceed with a comprehensive evaluation of their leadership strategy, focusing on:
1. Long-Term Vision and Strategy:
- What is the CEO's vision for the company's future?
- How is this vision translated into long-term strategic plans?
- How does the CEO prioritize long-term goals over short-term gains?
2. Value Creation for Stakeholders:
- How does the CEO's strategy create value for shareholders (financial performance, shareholder returns)?
- How does the CEO ensure employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being?
- How does the CEO's leadership contribute to the communities where the company operates?
3. Leadership Style and Decision-Making:
- What is the CEO's leadership style (transformational, democratic, etc.)?
- How does the CEO make decisions and involve stakeholders in the process?
- How does the CEO inspire and motivate employees and teams?
4. Innovation and Adaptability:
- How does the CEO cultivate a culture of innovation within the company?
- How does the CEO adapt to changing market conditions and technological advancements?
- What examples can you find of the CEO's success in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities?
5. Communication and Transparency:
- How does the CEO communicate with various stakeholders (investors, employees, public)?
- How does the CEO ensure transparency and accountability within the company?
- What are some examples of the CEO's effective communication practices?
By researching and analyzing these aspects, you can gain valuable insights into the CEO's leadership strategy and its impact on value creation. Remember to support your analysis with factual evidence, data, and examples from the CEO's tenure. You can also compare and contrast the CEO's leadership style with other successful CEOs to explore different approaches to long-term success.
This exercise can inform your understanding of effective leaders
Sample Answer
As Babcock et al. (2021) rightly point out, long-term-oriented executive leadership is vital for corporate success. Analyzing successful CEOs and their strategies can be incredibly insightful for investors, managers, employees, and aspiring executives. To delve deeper into this, I encourage you to choose a CEO from one of the following lists:
1. Fortune 500 CEOs (2023):
- Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan Chase)
- Tim Cook (Apple)
- Sundar Pichai (Alphabet/Google)