Leaders & Laggards: A Look at Corporate Leadership in Action
The Leaders & Laggards series examines corporate executives who use strong values to drive positive impact—and those who fall short.
Leaders: Setting the Standard
Tom Chapman, Chairman & CEO, Equifax
In a bold, old-school move, Chapman and his PR team tackled the issue of identity theft in The Wall Street Journal. While it’s unclear whether this was a final act before retirement, Chapman’s willingness to take a firm stance on a pressing issue is commendable. Strong leadership isn’t about fading into the background—it’s about leaving a lasting mark, and Chapman has certainly done that.
Kevin Rollins, President & CEO, Dell
Rollins challenges the stereotypical image of a high-profile CEO. Rather than seeking the spotlight, he leads quietly yet effectively, ensuring Dell stays on track. His approach—focused on clarity, execution, and results—proves that leadership isn’t about ego; it’s about delivering success.
Jeff Brotman, CEO, Costco
Costco’s success is no accident. Brotman’s unwavering focus on small business customers has propelled the company past Walmart’s Sam’s Club, generating triple the profits with significantly fewer stores. His long-term vision speaks volumes: “We want to be great in 50 years.” When was the last time you heard a CEO talk about legacy over short-term gains?
Laggards: Falling Short
Saul Palmisano, CEO, IBM
Poor execution, finger-pointing, and a lack of visible leadership—Palmisano is leading IBM into choppy waters. Dodging tough conversations by avoiding the annual meeting in North Charleston doesn’t inspire confidence. With mounting shareholder frustration, don’t be surprised if you hear chants of “Bring back Lou (Gerstner) to run Big Blue.”
Richard Reese, CEO, Iron Mountain
Losing sensitive customer data not once, but twice? That’s a major leadership failure. Iron Mountain’s mishandling of Bank of America and Time Warner’s backup tapes highlights serious gaps in security. While their crisis management response was effective, the real question remains: How did they allow it to happen in the first place?
Steve Jobs, Co-Founder, Apple
A visionary in technology and design, Jobs is a household name—but even great leaders stumble. His attempt to block an unflattering biography from bookstores (including Apple’s own retail locations) raises concerns about his understanding of free speech. No reports of book burnings yet, but maybe they’re just waiting for the digital version on iTunes?
The Pointe is produced by Point of View, LLC, a leadership brand consultancy in Atlanta. For more information, contact Jeremy Garlington at 404-606-0637, [email protected], or visit www.povblogger.blogspot.com.