Center for Executive Performance

The Challenge and Dangers of CEO Loneliness Whether you are the CEO of a startup or a billion dollar plus company, you need a go-to-person. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” wrote Shakespeare – a sentiment that resonates deeply with modern CEOs. Research confirms that leadership isolation intensifies as executives climb higher, creating a dangerous paradox: those most responsible for organizational success become increasingly cut off from crucial information. As someone who has coached CEOs for decades, I’ve seen firsthand how this isolation manifests. CEOs face pressure from all sides – boards who are hypercritical and sometimes contentious, ambitious direct reports eyeing their position, and families struggling with their demanding schedules. However... https://lnkd.in/gcjt3E3q

Why Companies Hire Narcissists and How to Avoid the Ultimate Mis-Hire Extreme differences in needs and behaviors are the first indicator of potential narcissism. Behaviors are an illusion – The closer a person’s needs correlate with their leadership style, the more authentic and predictable their actions. I participated in a continuing education webinar with psychologists and executive coaches a couple of years ago. One of the individuals made a comment that has stuck with me. He stated that... https://lnkd.in/g_XNGbVi

HOW HR CAN HELP AVOID THE COSTLIEST MISTAKE ALMOST ALL CEOs MAKE Poor selection outcomes indicate businesses are measuring the wrong attributes. Consider the selection process used by General Electric to replace Jack Welch. Over a six-year search for his successor, Welch narrowed the race down to three handpicked finalists: Jeff Immelt, James McNerney, and Robert Nardelli. As Welch considered himself a master talent evaluator and developer, he did not consider an... https://lnkd.in/gJ8B9C55

READY . . . FIRE While it is not typical for CEOs to immediately fire their direct reports as soon as they realize they might need to, it is our opinion that they should not wait. They absolutely must pull the trigger as soon as they realize they have lost confidence in the individual. Granted, decisions to terminate an employee are usually made after careful consideration and due process. However,... https://lnkd.in/gsRDdhMv

This past Spring, Dennis Schroeder was fortunate to moderate a panel discussion on assessing CEOs and management teams across the lifecycle of a portfolio company investment with the Talent Management Operating Partners from Berkshire Partners, Charles Bank Capital Partners, Genstar Capital, and Mainsail Partners.

You’ve led a successful PE portfolio company exit. NOW WHAT? Life after being a CEO. We have witnessed the emotional crash after CEOs hang up their spikes. Over the past twenty-five years, we have noticed an almost universal issue among the CEOs we have coached. They are afraid of retiring because of boredom and not knowing what they would next do with themselves. Explore your options. https://lnkd.in/eQUhnmXS #centerforexecutiveperformance #PEportfoliocompany #CEOjourney #CEOretirement