The Curse of the Superior Ceo
When companies look for new leaders, the one quality they seek above all others is charisma. The result, more often than not, is disappointment-or even disaster.
The
to being a successful CEO today, it's almost universally assumed, is leadership. Such qualities as strategic thinking, industry knowledge, and political persuasiveness, though desirable, no longer seem essential. Particularly when a company is struggling, directors in the market for a by Rakesh new CEO-as well as the investors, analysts, and business journalists who are watching their every move-will not be satisfied with an executive who is merely talented and experienced. Companies now want leaders. But what makes a successful leader? When people describe the qualities that enable a CEO to lead, the word they use most often is "charisma." Biographers and journalists have spilled much ink trying to deconstruct the charisma of superstar CEOs such as Lee Iacocca, Jack Welch, and Steve Jobs. Nevertheless, charisma remains as difficult to define as art or love. Few who advocate it are able to convey what they mean by the term. Fewer still are aware that the concept is borrowed from Christianity. In a passage from the New Testament, the apostle Paul
THE SECRET 60
Curse of the Superstar
CEO
lists the various charisms, or gifts of the Holy Spirit, that Christians may possess. According to Paul, those gifted with charisma in this sense include "good Ieaders."They also include church members with extraordinary endowments, such as the power to speak in tongues or work miracles. Khurana Of course, the meaning of charisma has changed since Saint Paul's time, but there is a lingering sense of admiration-even worship-for the few who are thought to possess uncommon inspirational powers. We now think of charisma as a set of personal qualities that inspire awe and submission in others. Jeffrey Garten, dean of the Yale School of Management, vividly captured the aura of the charismatic leader in his book
The
to being a successful CEO today, it's almost universally assumed, is leadership. Such qualities as strategic thinking, industry knowledge, and political persuasiveness, though desirable, no longer seem essential. Particularly when a company is struggling, directors in the market for a by Rakesh new CEO-as well as the investors, analysts, and business journalists who are watching their every move-will not be satisfied with an executive who is merely talented and experienced. Companies now want leaders. But what makes a successful leader? When people describe the qualities that enable a CEO to lead, the word they use most often is "charisma." Biographers and journalists have spilled much ink trying to deconstruct the charisma of superstar CEOs such as Lee Iacocca, Jack Welch, and Steve Jobs. Nevertheless, charisma remains as difficult to define as art or love. Few who advocate it are able to convey what they mean by the term. Fewer still are aware that the concept is borrowed from Christianity. In a passage from the New Testament, the apostle Paul
THE SECRET 60
Curse of the Superstar
CEO
lists the various charisms, or gifts of the Holy Spirit, that Christians may possess. According to Paul, those gifted with charisma in this sense include "good Ieaders."They also include church members with extraordinary endowments, such as the power to speak in tongues or work miracles. Khurana Of course, the meaning of charisma has changed since Saint Paul's time, but there is a lingering sense of admiration-even worship-for the few who are thought to possess uncommon inspirational powers. We now think of charisma as a set of personal qualities that inspire awe and submission in others. Jeffrey Garten, dean of the Yale School of Management, vividly captured the aura of the charismatic leader in his book