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Writer's pictureSean Goh

5 Characteristics That Differentiates Great CEOs from Good CEOs.

Updated: May 23

In this blog, we delve into the differentiating factors between a Great CEO and a good CEO.



Chinese CEO presenting to a team, demonstrating high-performance team building and strategic foresight.
A Chinese CEO presenting to the team, illustrating high-performance team building and strategic vision.

We always judge a company's performence based on the performence of its CEO. And, that's largely true; the CEO title isn't something glamorous people should chase for but rather one that they should work towards getting. In the dynamic landscape of business leadership, the distinction between good and great CEOs is profound. While both good and great CEOs manage to lead their organizations to success, the latter set themselves apart through a combination of visionary thinking, exemplary leadership skills, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.



This blog explores the key attributes that differentiate great CEOs from their merely good counterparts, supported by real-world examples.


Visionary Thinking and Strategic Foresight

Good CEOs are effective in executing the company's current strategies and maintaining steady growth. They ensure the company stays competitive by optimizing operations and capitalizing on existing opportunities. In a way, they're good at up keeping the company's performance and making sure they are on track to targets.




On the other hand, great CEOs possess an extraordinary ability to foresee market trends and pivot the company towards long-term success. Their vision often disrupts industries and sets new standards. Think of it as taking the company a step further and thinking "what more can we do?".

A great example is Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., is a quintessential example of a great CEO. His visionary thinking led to the creation of revolutionary products like the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. Jobs didn't just aim to improve existing products; he reimagined technology, thereby reshaping entire industries.



Exceptional Communication Skills

Young CEO leading a discussion, highlighting modern leadership skills and effective communication.
A young CEO leading a discussion, demonstrating the power of effective communication and modern leadership.

When a good CEO is in leadership, they communicate effectively within their teams, ensuring clear directives and fostering a collaborative environment. In fact, communication is key in any role. However, a CEOs role is much bigger which means having to communicate internally with a larger audience and of more depth.



Then, great CEOs' communication transcends mere clarity; it inspires and motivates. They can convey a compelling vision that resonates with employees, investors, and customers alike. They not only communicate internally, but externally as well.


Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, transformed the company's culture by emphasizing empathy and growth mindset. His open and inspirational communication style not only revived Microsoft's innovative spirit but also significantly boosted employee morale and engagement. In turn, that had a positive impact on stakeholders both internally and externally as well.



Risk-Taking and Innovation

Elon Musk observing a SpaceX rocket launch, showcasing his innovative and risk-taking leadership style as a great CEO.
Elon Musk at a SpaceX launch, embodying innovation and bold risk-taking as a great CEO.

The difference between the good and the great is that good CEOs are prudent in risk management, ensuring that the company's assets and interests are protected. While the great CEOs are bold risk-takers, willing to make unconventional decisions that could potentially yield significant rewards. Their appetite for innovation often leads to groundbreaking products and services.



Let's take the example of Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, epitomizes a great CEO with his audacious goals and willingness to venture into uncharted territories. Musk's ventures into electric vehicles and space travel, areas fraught with risk, have resulted in significant technological advancements and industry disruption.


Now, I'm not saying that every CEO has to go out and take huge risks that may or may not lead to an emergency meeting between the board of directors but the great CEOs have the dream and asoiration. Of course, after many rounds of thinking and evaluating risk.



Resilience and Adaptability

Good CEOs effectively manage the company through crises, ensuring stability and continuity. Of course, that doesn't mean you have to put your company through some sort of crisis but companies are bound to come across difficulties. On the other hand, great CEOs not only navigate crises adeptly but also adapt and thrive under pressure, often emerging stronger. Their resilience inspires their teams to overcome challenges and embrace change.


A great example for this is Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, steered the company through economic downturns and changing market dynamics by diversifying PepsiCo's product portfolio towards healthier options. Her ability to adapt the company's strategy to evolving consumer preferences ensured sustained growth.



Building and Leading High-Performance Teams

Jeff Bezos leading a meeting, exemplifying his visionary leadership as a great CEO of Amazon.
Jeff Bezos leading a meeting, a prime example of visionary leadership and strategic foresight.

In any situation, you judge how quickly a company scales judjing by their CEO. The thing is, CEOs who are good are able to build competent teams, ensuring the company has the talent needed to meet its goals. That's good but that won't be able to make a company or project scale significantly.



Great CEOs, well, They cultivate high-performance teams by identifying and nurturing top talent. They create an environment where innovation and excellence are encouraged and rewarded. When we look at the short-term, they are great in picking out talent through their vast network of people they worked with in the past or be able to identify talent right away. Long-term, they are able to identify those with a potential and mentor them to grow.


Jeff Bezos, founder and former CEO of Amazon, built a culture of high performance by maintaining high standards for hiring and continuously pushing for innovation. Amazon's success is a testament to Bezos's ability to lead and inspire a team of exceptional individuals.



In Conclusion...

The transition from a good to a great CEO involves more than just managing a company's day-to-day operations effectively. It requires a blend of visionary thinking, exceptional leadership, and a commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability. By examining the examples of Steve Jobs, Satya Nadella, Howard Schultz, Elon Musk, Indra Nooyi, Jeff Bezos, and Paul Polman, we can see that great CEOs distinguish themselves through their ability to inspire, adapt, and lead their organizations towards unprecedented success. These leaders exemplify the qualities that set apart great CEOs from those who are merely good, providing a blueprint for aspiring leaders aiming to leave a lasting impact on their industries and the world.



All images are AI generated with Midjourney.

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