What Makes A Good CEO?

Long-serving chief executives shape, guide and mould an organisation; they also know when to pounce and when to hunker down, and create enormous wealth for shareholders

- UDAYAN MUKHERJEE

WE ARE A country blessed with world-class CEOs—a fact that finds growing recognition globally, with more and more Indian managers reaching the summit of leading international corporations. While this is to be celebrated, it is also worth asking why many CEOs fail. What are the fundamental traits that enable only some to shine? Equally, what are the red flags that investors, employees, and boards need to watch out for in their chief executives? This is crucial, for the basics—intelligence, diligence, patience, sharpness, team skills—are a given, even hygiene for anyone making it to the echelons of top management in today’s competitive environment. Yet, there are softer skill sets which often end up distinguishing the good from the great. Here is my checklist, culled from interactions with hundreds of CEOs over the last two decades.