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Normal vs. Extraordinary Performance (vs. Vanity)
There was a lot of mail from people that didn’t understand the
CEO’s snake comment a few weeks ago about his not being
afraid of personal embarrassment and how that opened up a lot of
opportunities for him and his company, which is very large and
successful. For a familiar example, President Bush and Tony Blair
are currently exhibiting this trait, effectively dooming Iraq's
current management.
The underlying issue is normal vs. extraordinary performance and
it's the same in a military or commerical battle. Slow, steady
gains come from solid, methodical performance. And that's great.
However, big gains often require audacity and if
they go wrong, well, it can be humiliating to the CEO. So CEOs
often take a pass on such moves, taking the safer route instead.
That said, a great CEO never forgets he or she is a servant of the
stakeholders. Sometimes he or she MUST take chances and vanity
should be the last thing on their mind.
| The general [CEO] who advances
without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace,
whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service
for his sovereign [chairman], is the jewel of the kingdom
[shareholders].
-Sun Tzu
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An old
battlefield saying forgotten by many (R.I.P.) dot.com CEOs: "The
easy way is always mined."
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or questions .
To read Tom Wilson's well regarded Modern Board Compensation piece
from last week please go
here.
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