ABSTRACT

Courage can be built through the steady application of a specific mind-set and practices. Leaders who lack the courage to be independent in their thinking are not leaders at all. The selection of a chief executive officer (CEO) is one of the most important roles of a board. If the strategists are using telescopes, then the primary tool of technical experts and operators is a microscope. Leaders need to know which to use, and when. Too many are stuck using, and overusing, their preferred tool, whether it is grapevine scoop, analysis, sales report, or economic forecast. It seems obvious that leaders will recognize when they are in a crisis, or when one is looming. The transition from one CEO to another is a high-stakes situation. The emotion of the outgoing CEO can have a powerful impact on both the process and the outcome.