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May 25, 2005
How to become (or not become) a CEO
Posted by Max Chafkin at 1:11 PM
The past weekend's graduation speeches provided inspiration for ambitious young MBA grads and slackers -- er, dreamers -- alike. William Johnson, CEO of Heinz, delivered the commencement address to the University of Texas McCombs School of Business on Friday, and Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball and Liar's Poker, did the honors Saturday at Tulane's ceremony.
Johnson's speech, "A Journey from MBA to CEO," which included an inspiring anecdote from the movie Hoosiers, was pretty lively for a Fortune 200 executive. The message was that leadership success is something comes from seriousness and concentration. He talked about the "qualitative, intangible skills" that leaders acquire from failures, citing New York Yankees' manager Joe Torre, who was repeatedly fired before ever winning a World Series. Johnson cautioned against looking too far ahead and emphasized personal sacrifice. "You must have the passion, energy and stamina to stay the course -- even in the face of adversity," he said.
If Johnson told grads to keep their heads down in order to succeed, Lewis wanted them to keep their heads in the clouds. He talked about his decision to give up a big salary on Wall Street to become a writer. Parents hoping for a comfortable retirement were probably squirming when Lewis advised them to "Do as little as possible / And that unwillingly / For it is better to receive a slight reprimand / Than to perform an arduous task."
But that was the point. Lewis wasn't advocating sloth, but was reminding the grads not to follow the crowd or the easy buck -- a surprisingly entrepreneurial message. "Do what you love," he said in closing. "Before you figure out how much love will cost you."
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You are right Max! You ought to be doing what you love and love what you do! Otherwise you tend to loose both..that which you love and that you love to do..Your peace of mind is lost and becasue it is lost you loose the others around you and get into a nasty viscious loop ..
CEO... it doesn't impress me much. Start and grow your own company, that's really something. Working for someone else you're only wasting your time. And it doesn't matter wheter your are a CEO or a cleaning person. "Do what you love," - simple but true.
I agree that the best way to learn about personal leadership is starting your own company. And in doing so you will start our by doing what you love. But even when I am not doing what I love, I still love what I do because it is a means to an end. For me it is all about my intention. With a clear vision and powerful intention I can manifest what I love and be handsomely rewarded for it.
I agree. You must love what you do or you just wasting your time. Be a CEO of your own company! There is nothing like working for yourself and being in charge of your own destiny.
Well,
I am in a very good position. I am the CEo of DjMart.com. I am 24 Years Old. And I am from Uruguay. I must say I am very fortunate.
I started in charge of Marketing and ended last January as the CEO.
i really LOVE what I do. I really love it.
But one thing I will always refuse to, is the "Corporate Ladder", "Boiler rooms" and "Non Ethical behaviour". I will always stick to what I love, taking away from my head, the title, Job position or any other award or title someone may give you. These will all be consequences of doing what I love.
Always do what you love and results will come alone. Remember that nothing was achieved without passion!
Have a different opinion. It's really normal to do well when the environment is favourable. However, it's what u do when you're down in dumps that makes you a great leader. Treating a situation which all will consider a lost case as an opportunity, turning around what looks hopeless, that's the key, and thats what makes one the CEO material.
Success is only what you make of it, CEO or company owner. Challenges are common for both, and that's what we tend to love. Overall, if personal habits and mind set are productive, you'll always make something remarkable happen at home or at work.
If only 20 years ago I had discovered what I really loved and got into business doing it, I would have been much happier, and not wasted so much time. For that matter, I would be wealthier. It's not too late though.
Hi,
Rather commenting on the topic iam asking for a comment. Iam 26 years, MSc biology and from a farmer family back ground I couldnt able to recognize myself what i like, this was all due to lack of information and exposure. I have joined a copmany as technician where i have access to lot of information through internet, iam getting to know what actually the world is. Now iam realising the inherent desire as to be in leading position of an organisation. So iam thinking the only way is MBA course. Please guide me in this regard to my email., raghavendraks@robian.com.sa
Bush goes ballistic about other countries being evil and dangerous, because they have weapons of mass destruction. But, he insists on building up even a more deadly supply of nuclear arms right here in the US. What do you think? How does that work in a democracy again? How does being more threatening make us more likeable?Isn't the country with
the most weapons the biggest threat to the rest of the world? When one country is the biggest threat to the rest of the world, isn't that likely to be the most hated country?
Are we safer today than we were before?
The more people that the government puts in jails, the safer we are told to think we are. The real terrorists are wherever they are, but they aren't living in a country with bars on the windows. We are.
I don't have much experience but i have learned from successful people that if you see there life its totally different than a normal person. they take ever situation or faliur as oportuinity and often interfering with other people businesses. they never rely on there studies. they try to be on top in every thing does't matter if they love it or not. They want to try every thing explore every thing. they always share their concerns with other people and listen to their concerns. the bottom line is that they have a hunger in themselves and cannot sit until or unless they are satisfied.
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