There was a major reorganization taking place in a multinational company in America.
And so the CEO is retiring and the buzz in the work place is that the most senior staying executive might take over his place. A consultant was brought in. The senior exec talked to him and wanted to get his personal opinion about the matter. The consultant was a frank, brutal-to-the-truth kind of man who looked at him and said, “Frankly, I don’t think you will be chosen by the board to head this organization.” The senior exec was devastated. He said, “But I have the seniority, I have the skills, I have the qualifications and I have the experience and it’s a logical choice that I will be the next CEO of this company.”
The business consultant turned confidant with a serious look on his face said, “Yes, my friend there is no doubt about that but… you just don’t have the CEO walk!”
The moment I came across this story I knew what that means.
