A CEO’s Perspective

A CEO’s Perspective

Once a year, I take a vacation at Rancho La Puerta, a SPA in Mexico. It is a hikers paradise, lots of exercise classes, organic food, etc. Imagine my surprise to find myself hiking next to an unassuming man who described his “real life” job as an Interim CEO for a private Equity company. John said his company was not a “churn and burn” but instead bought undervalued companies and grew them for some time before finding the right buyer. I asked him what his first 90 days as a Leader in the new organization looked like.

He quickly focused on his philosophy of picking 3 high potentials and providing them with an Executive Coach. He said they could be Managers, but sometimes were not. He saw his job as “growing great leaders” who had never had much leadership development before. “Our best ideas and knowledge walk out the door each night” and I want them to come back”. When I complimented him on being a rare enlightened leader, John replied “that’s because of my mentor”. He described a former boss who always said “we all shine in each other’s reflection”. It convinced this CEO early on to invest in his best people, for their light ignites others.