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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 OPINION 
5

Good CEOs Are Boring: Brooks

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(Newser) – Recent studies have yielded a good picture of the ideal CEO, and the life of the party he ain’t, writes David Brooks in the New York Times. Traits like empathy, good communication skills, and team-building aren’t very important. Flamboyant visionaries rarely work out. No, those who often thrive as CEOs are “organized, dogged, anal-retentive, and slightly boring,” obsessed with eking out incremental efficiencies.

They would not, in other words, make good politicians, and vice versa. The charisma and personal skills so key for politicians mean little in the business world. Yet the Obama administration keeps inserting itself into management cultures. “When Washington is a profit center, CEOs are forced to adopt the traits of politicians,” Brooks argues. “It won’t be the regulations that will be costly, but the revolution in values.”

TARP CEOs prepare to testify before Congress in this file photo.
TARP CEOs prepare to testify before Congress in this file photo.   (AP Photo)
In this combo made from file photos, Intel CEO Paul Otellini, left, and AMD CEO Dirk Meyer are shown.
In this combo made from file photos, Intel CEO Paul Otellini, left, and AMD CEO Dirk Meyer are shown.   (AP Photos)
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While it’s important to be a sensitive, well-rounded person for the sake of your inner fulfillment, the market doesn’t really care. - David Brooks

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5 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 19, 09 1:16 PM CDT
What about Steve Jobs? Reply
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+2
kokuaguy
May 19, 09 1:56 PM CDT
Brooks = air head. Reply
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+2
nick
May 19, 09 3:45 PM CDT
Brook's worst article ever! Reply
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+1
fancygapva
May 19, 09 5:14 PM CDT
Seems like Obama is charming, intelligent and charismatic AND when it comes down to getting the job done he is “organized, dogged, anal-retentive, and slightly boring,” He has irritated and disappointed his most progressive supporters because he aims for what can be done realistically rather than what we really want. I am one of those who has felt impatient even as I see the value of his pragmatism. Yes, he can. Reply
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sysco9
May 19, 09 7:33 PM CDT
dumb Reply
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-1
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