Stephen H Baum Leadership

Recent conversation with a Private Equity partner about leadership qualities of CEOs in their portfolio may be worth recounting. One of their CEOs, we will call “the field general” is “exceptional at creating a battle plan, assembling and chartering the team (including swapping out under-performers and recruiting stars to a difficult location) and driving execution.” He has “great attention to detail” and would be great in any industrial setting with facilities, factory and operations. He can turn around any such situation.

What is missing or insufficient? The particular situation has not given him a chance to show off more strategic leadership. What we might call “theater commander” as in Commander in Chief Pacific (CINCPAC in pentagon terms). What does this level consist of? By way of example, it includes a compelling thesis about how we are going to win in the Pacific, the strategies and resources we will use against foes in each area of the theater.

This is a level above field general. In commercial terms, it goes beyond what is already a broad mandate: hiring, instituting controls, planning and setting up operations and supply chain, devising the matrix that will govern decisions, establishing goals and communications. it also includes conceiving and driving how we will adapt our value proposition and our go to market approach in each market segment and geography.

Is there a level above that? Yes. Chairman, Joint Chiefs (leaving the Commander in Chief position for the private equity or public company board chair. What would the Joint Chiefs position have to demonstrate?

Vision. Meaning. What will be our role and power in the world across all geographies? What will our presence in one place contribute to our presence in other places and overall, globally? What will we be able to do in a few years that we cannot do today? What relationships will be cemented that are not today? Why is all of this a meaningful aspiration to motivate every employee working to make it real?

What level are you? What level are your people?

That’s my view. What’s yours? This is one topic that Jim Blasingame and I will discuss on Monday morning on his terrific internet radio program.

Small Business Advocate — Jim Blasingame