15-leaders-15-styles-how-they-successfully-lead-the-worlds-biggest-enterprisesLeadership has many manifestations. Each industry, phase the company is in and the purpose and vision of a company require a different leadership style. Below are 15 leaders who each lead (or have led) the world's greatest companies in their own way and with their own style.
Jeff Bezos - Amazon - is considered a visionary, risk-taker, and customer-focused leader for several reasons:
Visionary: Jeff Bezos is known for his ability to think big and long-term. He saw the potential of the Internet early on and believed that it would fundamentally change the way people shop. He had an inspiring vision of creating a company that would be the "Earth's most customer-centric company," and he worked relentlessly to achieve that goal.
Risk-taker: Bezos was willing to take risks that many other CEOs would not. When he started Amazon in 1994, he invested heavily in the company and was not afraid to take on debt to fuel growth. He also took risks by entering new markets, such as cloud computing, that were not traditionally associated with online retail.
Customer-focused: Bezos has always been focused on creating a great customer experience. He is known for saying that "the best customer service is if the customer doesn't need to call you, doesn't need to talk to you. It just works." This focus on the customer has led Amazon to innovate in areas such as fast shipping, easy returns, and personalized recommendations.
Elon Musk - Tesla - Twitter - SpaceX - is considered an innovative, determined, and persuasive leader for several reasons:
Innovative: Musk is known for his innovative thinking and his willingness to challenge the status quo. He has revolutionized the automotive industry with Tesla and is now making breakthroughs in space exploration with SpaceX and with Twitter. His companies have introduced new technologies and ideas that have disrupted traditional industries.
Determined: Musk has a reputation for being extremely determined and persistent in pursuing his goals. He has faced numerous setbacks and challenges with his companies but has always been willing to persevere and find a way to succeed. This determination has helped him overcome obstacles and achieve ambitious objectives.
Persuasive: Musk is a master of persuasion and has a talent for inspiring and motivating his employees and customers. He has a strong ability to communicate his vision and ideas in a way that people can understand and get excited about. He has also been able to persuade investors to back his companies and support his ambitious plans.
Satya Nadella - Microsoft - is considered an empathetic, collaborative, and strategic thinker for several reasons:
Empathetic: Nadella has demonstrated a high level of empathy in his leadership style, which has helped him to connect with employees and customers on a personal level. He is known for being a good listener and for seeking out diverse perspectives in order to make informed decisions. He has also been open about his own personal experiences, including his son's battle with cerebral palsy, which has helped him to better understand the needs of people with disabilities.
Collaborative: Nadella is a collaborative leader who has emphasized the importance of teamwork and partnerships. He has encouraged employees to work across teams and divisions in order to drive innovation and growth. He has also sought to build strong relationships with other companies and organizations, which has helped Microsoft to expand its reach and influence.
Strategic thinker: Nadella is known for his strategic thinking and his ability to anticipate and respond to changes in the market. He has led Microsoft through a successful transition from a focus on traditional desktop software to a focus on cloud computing and other emerging technologies. He has also made a number of strategic acquisitions, such as LinkedIn and GitHub, which have helped to expand Microsoft's capabilities and reach.
Tim Cook - Apple - is considered an ethical, detail-oriented, and customer-focused leader for several reasons:
Ethical: Cook has emphasized the importance of ethics and social responsibility in his leadership style. He has taken a strong stance on issues such as privacy and human rights and has made efforts to ensure that Apple operates in a transparent and responsible manner. He has also implemented programs to increase diversity and inclusion within the company.
Detail-oriented: Cook is known for his attention to detail and his focus on operational efficiency. He has implemented changes to streamline Apple's supply chain and manufacturing processes, which has helped to improve the company's profitability and reduce waste. He is also known for his meticulous preparation and planning, which has helped to ensure that Apple's products are of the highest quality.
Customer-focused: Cook has prioritized the customer experience throughout his tenure as CEO. He has emphasized the importance of delivering products and services that meet the needs and preferences of customers. He has also placed a strong emphasis on customer service and support, which has helped to maintain customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Mary Barra - General Motors - is considered a decisive, transparent, and committed leader for several reasons:
Decisive: Barra is known for her decisive leadership style, which has helped her to make difficult decisions quickly and effectively. She has made tough choices, such as restructuring the company's operations and closing unprofitable factories, in order to position General Motors for long-term success. She is also willing to take calculated risks in order to drive innovation and growth.
Transparent: Barra has prioritized transparency in her leadership style, both within the company and with external stakeholders. She has implemented measures to increase accountability and open communication, such as regular town hall meetings with employees. She has also been transparent about the company's challenges, such as the ignition switch recall crisis, and has taken steps to address those issues.
Committed to diversity and inclusion: Barra has made a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within General Motors. She has set ambitious goals for increasing the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in leadership positions and has implemented programs to support those goals. She has also emphasized the importance of building a culture of respect and inclusion throughout the company.
Indra Nooyi - PepsiCo - is considered a strategic, visionary, and innovation-focused leader for several reasons:
Strategic: Nooyi is known for her strategic thinking and her ability to anticipate and respond to changes in the market. She has implemented a number of initiatives to reposition PepsiCo as a more health-focused and environmentally sustainable company, such as introducing healthier snacks and beverages and reducing the company's carbon footprint. She has also made strategic acquisitions, such as Quaker Oats and Tropicana, to expand PepsiCo's product offerings.
Visionary: Nooyi is a visionary leader who has emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity in driving growth. She has encouraged employees to think outside the box and has invested in new technologies and product development in order to stay ahead of the competition. She has also placed a strong emphasis on corporate responsibility and has worked to build a company culture that values sustainability and social impact.
Innovation-focused: Nooyi has made innovation a top priority throughout her tenure as CEO of PepsiCo. She has encouraged employees to experiment and take risks in order to drive innovation and has implemented programs to support this culture of innovation. She has also sought out partnerships and collaborations with other companies and organizations in order to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies.
Howard Schultz - Starbucks - is considered an inspirational, passionate, and values-driven leader for several reasons:
Inspirational: Schultz is known for his ability to inspire and motivate employees, customers, and other stakeholders. He has a compelling personal story and a strong sense of purpose and has used his platform to advocate for social causes and to promote a sense of community. He has also been a vocal supporter of employee empowerment and has sought to create a positive and uplifting work environment.
Passionate: Schultz is a passionate leader who is deeply committed to his values and beliefs. He is known for his strong work ethic and his willingness to take risks in order to achieve his goals. He has also been passionate about creating a great customer experience and has emphasized the importance of quality and innovation in the products and services that Starbucks offers.
Values-driven: Schultz is a values-driven leader who has sought to build a company culture that is grounded in social responsibility and ethical business practices. He has implemented a number of programs to support sustainable agriculture and to reduce the environmental impact of Starbucks' operations. He has also prioritized employee well-being and has implemented benefits such as healthcare and stock options to support employees.
Jack Ma - Alibaba - is considered a bold, resilient, and innovation-focused leader for several reasons:
Bold: Ma is known for his bold and audacious thinking, which has led him to take risks and pursue ambitious goals. He has been willing to challenge conventional wisdom and disrupt traditional industries, such as e-commerce and financial services. He has also been a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and has encouraged others to take risks and pursue their dreams.
Resilient: Ma has faced numerous setbacks and challenges throughout his career, but has always been able to bounce back and find a way to succeed. He has a strong ability to adapt to changing circumstances and persevere through difficult times. He has also been willing to pivot his business strategies when necessary, in order to stay ahead of the competition.
Committed to innovation: Ma is committed to innovation and has made it a top priority for Alibaba. He has invested heavily in research and development and has sought out partnerships with other companies and organizations in order to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies. He has also emphasized the importance of a company culture that values creativity and experimentation.
Warren Buffett is considered a prudent, analytical, and long-term focused leader for several reasons:
Prudent: Buffett is known for his conservative and disciplined approach to investing. He is highly selective in his investments and seeks out companies with strong fundamentals and long-term growth potential. He has a strong aversion to risk and has a reputation for being cautious and methodical in his decision-making.
Analytical: Buffett is a highly analytical leader who relies on careful analysis and research to inform his investment decisions. He has a deep understanding of financial markets and accounting principles and is able to identify opportunities and risks that others might overlook. He is also highly skilled at valuing companies and assessing their long-term growth potential.
Long-term focused: Buffett has a long-term perspective on investing and business strategy. He is willing to invest in companies that may not generate immediate returns, but that he believes will be successful over the long term. He also seeks out companies with strong management teams and a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
Sheryl Sandberg - Facebook - is considered an empowering, collaborative, and diversity-focused leader for several reasons:
Empowering: Sandberg is known for her leadership style that empowers others to take initiative and make decisions. She encourages employees to take risks and innovate while providing them with support and guidance when needed. She also champions the importance of mentorship and coaching, particularly for women and underrepresented groups.
Collaborative: Sandberg is a collaborative leader who believes in the power of teamwork and partnerships. She has encouraged collaboration both within Facebook and with external stakeholders, such as advertisers and content creators. She has also emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with customers and users in order to drive growth and innovation.
Focused on diversity and inclusion: Sandberg has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She has implemented a number of programs and initiatives to support diversity, such as unconscious bias training and the development of employee resource groups. She has also been vocal about the need for more women and underrepresented groups in leadership positions.
Bob Iger - Disney - is considered a visionary, risk-taking, and growth-focused leader for several reasons:
Visionary: Iger is known for his visionary leadership style and his ability to anticipate and respond to changes in the media and entertainment industry. He has overseen a number of successful initiatives, such as the acquisition of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, that have helped to position Disney as a leader in the entertainment industry.
Risk-taker: Iger is willing to take risks and pursue ambitious goals. He has made a number of bold moves, such as launching the Disney+ streaming service and investing heavily in theme park expansions, that have paid off in terms of growth and profitability. He is also willing to take calculated risks in order to expand into new markets and businesses.
Growth-focused: Iger is focused on driving growth and expanding the reach of Disney's brands and properties. He has emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity in driving growth and has invested heavily in research and development. He has also sought out partnerships and collaborations with other companies in order to expand Disney's reach and influence.
Richard Branson - Virgin - is considered an adventurous, innovative, and people-oriented leader for several reasons:
Adventurous: Branson is known for his adventurous and daring leadership style. He has pursued bold initiatives, such as the development of Virgin Galactic, a space tourism company. He has also undertaken numerous high-profile stunts, such as crossing the Atlantic in a hot air balloon, which has helped to build the Virgin brand and capture public attention.
Innovative: Branson is a highly innovative leader who is constantly seeking out new opportunities and ideas. He has been willing to disrupt traditional industries, such as music and aviation, and has introduced new and innovative products and services. He also encourages experimentation and creativity within his companies.
People-oriented: Branson is a people-oriented leader who places a strong emphasis on building relationships and creating a positive work environment. He is known for his approachable and friendly demeanor and has built a reputation as a supportive and empowering leader. He is also committed to giving back to his employees and the broader community and has implemented a number of philanthropic initiatives through the Virgin Group.
Reed Hastings - Netflix - is considered a risk-taking, innovative, and growth-focused leader for several reasons:
Risk-taker: Hastings is willing to take risks and pursue unconventional ideas. He has been willing to disrupt traditional industries, such as the entertainment and media industry, and has introduced new and innovative business models. He also encourages experimentation and is willing to pivot when a strategy isn't working.
Innovative: Hastings is a highly innovative leader who is constantly seeking out new opportunities and ideas. He has been a pioneer in the streaming media industry and has led Netflix to become one of the most successful streaming platforms in the world. He is also committed to investing in original content and has helped to revolutionize the entertainment industry.
Growth-focused: Hastings is focused on driving growth and expanding the reach of Netflix's services. He has emphasized the importance of global expansion and has led Netflix to become a global entertainment powerhouse. He is also committed to investing in technology and infrastructure to ensure that Netflix can continue to scale and grow in the future.
Tony Hsieh - Zappos - is considered a customer-focused, collaborative, and culture-driven leader for several reasons:
Customer-focused: Hsieh was committed to delivering exceptional customer service and creating a positive customer experience. He believed that happy employees would lead to happy customers and built a company culture that prioritized customer satisfaction. He encouraged employees to go above and beyond to exceed customer expectations and provided them with the training and resources to do so.
Collaborative: Hsieh was a collaborative leader who believed in the power of teamwork and partnerships. He fostered a collaborative environment both within Zappos and with external stakeholders, such as vendors and suppliers. He also encouraged employees to share ideas and participate in decision-making processes.
Committed to company culture: Hsieh was committed to building a strong company culture that emphasized core values such as transparency, accountability, and continuous learning. He believed that a strong culture would help to attract and retain top talent and create a positive work environment. He also sought out opportunities to give back to the community and promote social responsibility.
Travis Kalanick - Uber - is considered an innovative, determined, and risk-taking leader for several reasons:
Innovative: Kalanick is known for his innovative thinking and his ability to disrupt traditional industries. He co-founded Uber with the aim of transforming the transportation industry and introduced a new business model that disrupted traditional taxi services. He has also been committed to investing in technology and infrastructure to support the growth and success of Uber.
Determined: Kalanick is a determined leader who is committed to achieving his goals. He has been willing to take on powerful industry players and regulators and has persevered through setbacks and challenges. He is also committed to creating value for shareholders and has been willing to make bold moves, such as expanding into new markets and acquiring new companies, to achieve this.
Risk-taker: Kalanick is willing to take risks and pursue ambitious goals. He has been willing to take on legal and regulatory challenges and has been a vocal advocate for innovation and disruption. He is also willing to pivot when necessary, as evidenced by Uber's expansion into new markets and the introduction of new services such as Uber Eats.
