Leadership
When Should a CEO Leave?
We all love success stories. Someone starts in the mail room and makes it to the top. Visionaries come in to turn around companies. People like Steve Jobs innovate, leave, innovate elsewhere and return to innovate even more. But those are the rarities. More often we’re faced with some hard questions. How long should a…
Read MoreEverybody is Responsible…Except Us?
Who’s responsible for a company’s fate? Take Enron. All of us saw the valuation of this company skyrocket without explanation during the drunken euphoria of the bubble days. We loved Enron because our stock was making us rich. The shareholders were sleeping by not demanding answers. The board was bought and sold. The employees were…
Read MoreIs There a Leader in the House?
In my recent talks at university business schools, professional organizations and conferences, I have been promoting the concept that the world is changing—becoming highly distributed, global, collaborative, open and participatory—and that the legacy notions of corporate leadership are fading away. We are entering a world defined and measured by the influence of your actions and…
Read MoreWhere Were the Boards?
I have and continue to serve on several for-profit, commercial boards and not-for-profit boards for more than 12 years. Let’s remember the key premise of boards: unbiased, external oversight bodies charged with acting in the best interest of the organization and its stakeholders. Right. Then we have reality. Board members are not supposed to have…
Read MoreWhat a great night…
A few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of being a sponsor at the Anita Borg Institute’s 2010 Women of Vision Award. What a fantastic night it was! More than 800 people attended to celebrate the achievements of these phenomenal women. I was honored to share the evening with my…
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