LeeCarlson

Matching Management with Culture: How the Wrong CEO Can Ruin a Company

Many thanks for your article and the related article by Jeff Matthews,
I could never understand how a person could rise to the top of a ccompany and have such a low opinion of other people, as did Nardelli. It tells a lot about the quality of quality, or lack of quality, of the Bd. of Directors also. I had, in younger days, always looked up to the Bd. of Directors of many companies as very insightful people, smart, and having a great concern for co workers and especially customers.
It seems that todays Boards of Directors are more concerned with the CEO's pay package than anything, and when I see those golden parachutes of $210,000,000. to "Go way ! " It boggles my mind !
Thee guy treats everyone like dirt and the Directors give him a huge present to leave,..that makes no sense what so ever and says a lot about the Bd. of Directors abilities and common sense,..or lack there of !
Any CEO can make "short term" profits, by cutting costs in many ways but they should have a long range outlook that keeps customers coming back and feel like they are wanted. Also, by treating other top management poorly, it does nothing more than filter down to the lower levels and you loose good employees and good supervisors and finally CUSTOMERS ! And, finally , CEO's MUST remember, that in any business, the customer is king !
Last point,...One company I worked for years ago, hired a new CEO who didn't want the job, didn't know anything about the industry, which was one that was built on close customer ties,..and so the departing CEO, paid him a million up front to take the job ! The result was predictable, within 3 years the Company was in big trouble to say the least ! The Company,...Internation... Harvester Co, now called International Truck and engine Co. (NAV) (Navistar ) The Company used to be one of the 30 Industrials,..
now they are traded OTC ! Struggeling to keep alive. ! All of this was so unnecessary, as it was poor judgement by the departing CEO and the Bd. of Directors, who were scared to speak up ! GUTLESS DIRECTORS !
Thanks for the article, and keep up the good work ! Lee Carlson, Spring Hill, FL