FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog
November 23, 2004
The World's Most Respected Leaders: Do You Agree?
The Financial Times and Pricewaterhouse Coopers has just published a list of the ten most respected business leaders today. And the envelope....
- Bill Gates (Microsoft)
- Jack Welch (GE)
- Carlos Ghosn (Nissan)
- Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway)
- Michael Dell (Dell Computer)
- Hiroshi Okuda (Toyota)
- Jeff Immelt (GE)
- Carly Fiorina (HP)
- Steve Jobs (Apple)
- Fujio Mitarai (Canon)
Gates won for the third year in a row, while Welch came solidly in second place even though he left GE in September of 2001. Do you agree? Who would you put on this list? Who would you take off?
Perhaps the more fascinating list comes from this survey question asked of CEOs: Name an individual from history or today who you would invite on your company board?
The leading vote getters: Winston Churchill, Jesus Christ, Napoleon Bonaparte, Albert Einstein, Julius Caesar, Leonardo Da Vinci and John F. Kennedy.
Posted by Editor in Chief at November 23, 2004 6:31 PM | Category: leadership |
14 Comments
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I would question Carly Fiorina in this list simply on the basis that since her orchestrated merger of HP and Compaq, the brands of both have degraded into oblivion. HP used to be THE mark of quality for personal computing and scientific instrumentation. Compaq was at one time a leading peer in personal computing in the business environment. Today, neither brands are at the top of anybody's list. Ultimately, this falls on the shoulders of the CEO.
I'd like to see a bar graph of press coverage of these CEOs. It think that, as much as anything, determines who gets the votes. And how did Ken Lay not make this list?
1. Bill Gates (Microsoft)
2. Jack Welch (GE)
3. Michael Dell (Dell Computer)
4. Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway)
5. Steve Jobs (Apple)
6. Carlos Ghosn (Nissan)
7. Hiroshi Okuda (Toyota)
8. Jeff Bezos (Amazon)
9. Azim Premji (Wipro)
10.Carly Fiorina (HP)
I would change the order of the list and add Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com and Azim Premji of Wipro in the list.
I guess it depends on what 'most respected' and 'business leader' mean. Last year, my company did a personal branding survey of the 'strongest leader brands,' and our list was similar in many ways, but it also included Oprah and Richard Branson; and Steve Jobs was much higher up on the list.
It is also interesting to see that Tech executives make up half the list. This is consistent with the CEO Image Report that came from Ad Week. They indicated that the reputations of IT CEOs are much more important to the overall brand because people are making buying decisions that connect with a company's vision. And vision comes from the CEO.
None of these guys (or Ms. Fiorina) particularly moves me. How about Yvon Choinard (patagonia) or the guy who runs Whole Foods?
Greetings,
I don't recall that the list had to be limited to business leaders (it didn't say "business only"),thus, I'll add these names: Bill Belichek, and Tony Dungy.
I disagree with the attack on Carly Florina. She guided HP out of an ugly chapter, in my view.
Well, this gives the list of the most respected business leaders, it's most interesting aspect is probably what it tells about the people that answered.
I'm sure at some point Lee Iacotta, and Ken Lay where up there.
Carly certainly guided HP through an ugly chapter, of course she first drowe HP into this chapter, and anyway she doesn't want to build up HP but she wants a political career, maybe you will get a Fiorina, Cheney (liz) bid in four years.
Bill Gates is probably the greatest extorcionist of all times, I guess most participants of this survey where more jalous of not having been able to run the same "con", than appaled at the fact that there is still no successful anti trust action agains his company.
On the other hand it is true that it could be worse, we could see more admiration for peoples like the AIG, Carlyre or Kroll CIO's.
shudder
I'm surprised that readers are reacting to Carly's inclusion on the list rather than the fact that she is the only woman on the list. If you were to construct a list of the ten most respected female leaders, who would they be? Would you include Oprah and Martha?
I would like to add K R Narayanmurthy to the list as he has not only been a pioneer in business but also written the book on Corporate governance in the murky world of Indian business.
To boot, he is as down to earth and humble a biz leader as you are ever likely to meet.
I'd put Steve Jobs at #1 on that list. What he has done for Apple and Pixar is superhuman. He has been going against the grain lately, and simply put; He has been making a lot of people look silly. I like seeing a CEO who checks his email at 8:00pm on Christmas Eve.
From ---@pixar.com Sun Dec 24 07:49:08 2000
Received: by NeXT.Mailer (1.148.2)
From: Steve Jobs
Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2000 07:36:53 -0800
To: Cabel Sasser
Subject: RE: Audion 2: have you had a chance to see it yet?
Cabel,
I hear that your deal with AOL fell through. Any interest in throwing in with us at Apple?
Best, Steve
I think Branson belongs on the list. It's a shame that Americans are not as fond of him just because he is not. Gates is rightfully there. I disagree with the comment about him pulling a con, he has changed more lives in more ways in a positive direction than any other. It says something about us when Oprah gets more credit than Pontiac and Gates's foundation is rarely talked about. I think Welch has always been over rated, he has created nothing. At best he is a great marketer, calling him a great leader, lowers the value of the list. I have had experience with top folks from GE and their culture is nothing to write home about.
I'm fascinated by the second bit on which historical personality you would invite to join your board today...Which of today's most succesful corporations would have the courage to invite Jesus Christ to join their board?
I would add George W. Bush, because he's been accused of "mangling the language, destroying its meaning by avoiding the use of verbs, twisting nouns into verbs, and endlessly repeating phrases until they become zombified" (Source:'Bush and Blair accused of mangling English' by Kate Kelland, Reuters.com.uk, Mon 15 November, 2004 12:50).
But despite this George W Bush has become the first Republican president to win re-election since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
And he's been able to motivate the US public to vote in record numbers.
In a time of stress and crisis, Bush was able to connect with the masses.
Bush who according to language experts once famously used the word "misunderestimate", romped home with a record majority receiving 3.5 million more votes than Kerry.
Why did Bush win by so much when analysts were predicting one of the closest elections in years?
Well, the shocking truth is that Bush and his advisers are masters of modern-day speechwriting.
What would you do if you had this skill to move and motivate others?
Well, here are the little-known speechwriting secrets of how George W Bush won the US election?
Because they are universal principles, you can apply these to your own career and personal situation:
1. Strong Self-Belief
Bush has always had a strong sense of purpose to "build a safer world" and to make a difference. He is unswerving in his belief and mission to achieve this.
One of the most memorable lines in his acceptance speech summarises his own home-grown optimism and sense of destiny.
"There is an old saying, "Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks."
What is your passion and purpose in life?
2. Certainty in an Age of Uncertainty
In times of fear and uncertainty, sitting politicians have a greater chance of being re-elected.
Bush reinforced this message in all his speeches.
For example: "To make this nation stronger and better, I will need your support and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust."
Trust was Bush's central campaign message to overcome people's anxiety about the future.
What is your central theme for your next speech?
3. Visual Imagery
Visual imagery is just as important as words in a speech, especially for people who take in information through visual rather than auditory channels.
Here are some clever ways Bush and his team maximised positive visual images in an election that was staged for television.
Pictures of his family, including that wonderful election night shot of George W relaxing in the White House with three generations of the Bush family, including his daughter, father and mother. (PS - only mothers with sons could appreciate that proud look on Barbara Bush's face as she looked over to George W)
He also used his tangible evidence of power such as alighting from the Presidential helicopter and plane to reinforce the trust and security message.
The American flag he wore on his lapel helped reinforce patriotism, as did his red tie when out on the election stump.
Interestingly, Bush wore a blue tie for his acceptance speech. This was subtle and sent the message "I'm in a different phase now, I've won the battle and its time to move on".
What non-verbal signal does your appearance send to your audience?
4. The Bush Personal Brand
The Bush personal brand is very interesting. Of course it is built on stories and everyone knows the story of the hard drinking, hard working Texan wildcat oil investor who at 40 years of age gave up drinking, found God and committed himself to public office.
In his acceptance speech, Bush reinforced this personal story and his special relationship with the people of Texas where his political career started.
"On the open plains of Texas, I first learned the character of our country: sturdy and honest, and as hopeful as the break of day.
I will always be grateful to the good people of my state. And whatever the road that lies ahead, that road will take me home."
Notice the visual imagery he uses to paint a picture of Texas and the warm feelings of home in middle-America.
How can you use this technique for your next speech?
5. Relentless Discipline
Bush ran a tight, disciplined campaign and his speeches never wavered or wandered from their key message.
Even in the glory of his win, he was focused:
"Our military has brought justice to the enemy and honor to America.
Our nation has defended itself and served the freedom of all mankind."
6. Family Values
Bush campaigned on family values - a common theme in both the US and Australian elections.
In his acceptance speech this is how he articulated these values:
"There are many people to thank and my family comes first.
Laura is the love of my life.
I'm glad you love her too.
I want to thank our daughters who joined their dad for his last campaign.
I appreciate the hard work of my sister and brothers.
I especially want to thank my parents for their loving support."
7. Shared Set of Values
Bush was attuned to the values of the heartland of America, "that heartland is spiritually and geographically the Mid West, a place of small town, conservative family values," according to Tom Carver, the BBC's correspondent in Washington.
Carver adds "Bill Clinton was a fair reflection of the laissez-faire mood of the confident, prosperous 90s. And President Bush is a mirror to the darker, more nervous post-9/11 America."
For Bill Clinton's 14 Speechwriting Secrets read my new book 'Understanding Influence for Leaders at All Levels' to be released by McGraw-Hill in February 2005.
8. Staying on Message
In the US, news is about emotion and is more orientated towards entertainment than just the facts.
Bush knew this and while he may not have the charisma of Clinton and his aversion to media conferences is well-known, his media performance during the election was one of his best.
Again, Carver from the BBC provides a great example of the legendary Bush media-savvy skills:
"There was a telling moment in his press conference ... when he was asked about the "big business" image that he and his party have. He completely ignored the question and talked instead about small businesses and how they are the engine of growth in the economy. He doesn't even allow the phrase "big business" to pass his lips."
Want to know how to do this? I have two places available for my next seminar. Book now
9. Ability to Read, Reflect and Relate to Issues of Concern
Analysts predicted the US election would be a referendum on the war against Iraq.
How wrong they were. The big issues for voters were about patriotism, and in particular, who do the American people trust on:
i) Moral grounds, ii) The economy, iii) Terrorism, and lastly iv) The War on Iraq.
Bush won the moral argument in a landslide and again played this card in his acceptance speech:
"America has spoken, and I'm humbled by the trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens.
With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans. And I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your president."
How can you relate to the issues and concerns of your audience?
10. A Great Call to Action
I believe the purpose of every speech should be to make a difference and move people to action.
For Bush it was for people to trust him and win their vote.
The "who do you trust theme" worked well for Bush and won him the election.
In his closer to his acceptance speech, Bush articulates this trust issue well with a clear and strong call to action:
"The campaign has ended, and the United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith.
I see a great day coming for our country and I am eager for the work ahead."
What is the 'call to action' for your next speech?
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