Rock Star CEOs Still Matter
Contrary to popular belief, the age of the “rock star CEO” may not be over. Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) expected appointment of Meg Whitman—former eBay CEO and current HP board member—as its new Chief Executive Officer is a striking example of how personal brand power still carries significant weight, especially in times of corporate crisis.
Breaking Tradition: Going External Instead of Internal
In most Fortune 100 companies, CEO transitions—particularly after a failed external hire—typically lead to the promotion of an internal candidate. But HP has defied that norm. Amidst ongoing governance concerns and public scrutiny, HP’s leadership likely felt pressure to install a figure with a strong, recognizable reputation. Enter Meg Whitman, who joined the board earlier this year.
Governance Questions and Transparency Concerns
The real issue now is whether HP’s board gave serious consideration to internal candidates before selecting Whitman. It’s often seen as a conflict of interest when a board member transitions into an executive role without previously declaring such intentions.
Greater transparency would help shape the narrative. Did HP evaluate a broad range of potential leaders? Were both internal and external options considered? While the company can publicly affirm that it explored all avenues, such statements ring hollow without supporting evidence—hence the need for deeper journalistic investigation into the selection process.
A Buffer for a Board in Crisis
What’s clear is that Whitman’s appointment gives the board some breathing room. Her personal brand and past successes serve as a stabilizing force for an organization that’s been widely criticized for poor governance and strategic confusion. In many ways, Whitman’s leadership now becomes both a solution and a symbol—one that may help HP reclaim its identity, or at least distract from its missteps.
The HP Way: Lost or Found?
This leadership shift raises a deeper question: Is HP’s board still aligned with the company’s original values, often referred to as “The HP Way”? Or has the company strayed too far from its founding principles? Only time will tell if Whitman can lead the company back to its roots—or if her appointment is just another high-profile bandage on a growing leadership wound.