Month: April 2014

CEO Fail: The Attila the Hun CEO

This next entry in my CEO failure modes series may make for compelling drama in the entertainment industry, but in the real world any CEO who exhibits dictatorial behavior is prone to mediocrity and failure.

“The CEO Tightrope” Is Real

The CEO Tightrope Is RealHere’s a sneak peek of the book jacket proof for my book coming out in September. The CEO Tightrope has been years in the making, so it’s gratifying to see it finally becoming a reality! The back cover gives you a summary of what the book is all about, but in a nutshell it is a practical guide for current and aspiring CEOs based on my years of trial and error. My goal was always to become a CEO, so I started my own companies to become one at a young age. I’ve been disappointed at the lack of CEO resources ever since, so this book is my way of contributing to the literature and sharing what I’ve learned. More to come.

The Coach’s Dilemma

Getting too close to your team can cloud your judgment. The best coaches care about their players but can make the tough personnel decisions when needed.

Bad hire? Blame the CEO

How much does a bad hire cost companies? It’s more than just money according to this infographic by Mindflash. Hiring the wrong person also causes lost time, productivity, and morale. The infographic also provides some suggestions for improving the hiring process. While these are important, one of the keys to hiring great people is to have a great recruiting process. This starts with the CEO, who in my mind should serve as the Chief Recruiting Officer.

CEOs should own recruiting and treat it as a core piece of the company’s strategic plan, not a tactical fire drill. Hiring right doesn’t mean taking your time, however. If your process is set up correctly, you should be able to hire someone within two weeks – that’s resume in hand to offer letter. Superstars won’t wait around for a company that drags its feet.

Also see a slide show version of this infographic at FastCompany.com.

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