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Good CEOs Are Boring: Brooks

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2009 10:07 AM CDT

(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.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

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. (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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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

sysco9

May 20, 2009 12:33 PM CDT

dumb

fancygapva

May 19, 2009 10:14 AM 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.

nick

May 19, 2009 8:45 AM CDT

Brook's worst article ever!

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CEO • corporate culture • corporate governance • David Brooks • Obama administration • politicians

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