Have had the good fortune to work with several groups recently on the concept of leadership and, in particular, as it relates to the kind of CEO that is likely to lead rocket growth over the next decade or so.
Of these, working with MIT’s Gordon Engineering Leadership program was perhaps the most enlightening.
They have a world-class program with serious commitment to teaching leadership qualities and capabilities especially in terms of innovation, invention and implementation.
This is critical.
CEO’s are facing an increasingly competitive world. Most categories are maturing and becoming saturated with mirror-like competitors who have basically taken the margin they can out of operations, sales and service just to compete.
I believe that rocket growth for a company will come from creativity and in two areas – innovation and branding. The two weapons that will differentiate and fuel accelerated growth in both revenues and margins.
The successful CEO will need to be the CCO (Chief Creative Officer) with both a CIO (Chief Innovation Officer) and a CBO (Chief Brand Officer) reporting directly to him or her.
They will need to direct the strategies, plans and resources to create relevant new products and services and drive their early and ongoing success in the marketplace.
As I looked over the groups of MIT engineering students in the program and as much as I am a brander at heart, I could not help feel that I might be looking at the CEO crop of the future. What say you? Visit www.rocketbranding.com
