A recent conversation with two CEOs

In the past couple of days, I had few substantial conversations with two accomplished CEOs and a great senior executive. Both CEOs surprised me that they visited my blog and liked what I am trying to do but one of them reminded me that I may need to update this blog more often. So, what is better than updating the blog by relating some reflections on my recent conversations?

Not surprisingly, it appears that CEOs and executive leaders are concerned about the quality of their teams and their senior leaders and managers. There seem to be a consensus that in today’s environment it is critical for leaders to be both visionary and tactical; leaders and managers.

In one inspirational moment, an innovative CEO and I spoke about the gap between some executives and reality. Especially in large organizations where structure and daily demands seem to create a significant distance between executives and their frontline employees; and even between executives and some critical aspects of their businesses. In another conversation, an executive and I spoke about innovation, and I modified Preffer’s and Sutton’s (2006) law which states: “Instead of being interested in what is new, we out to be interested in what is true”. Well, I am interested and motivated by “true new”. How about this for a law: True innovation helps improve and / or develop thoughts, things, and / or actions.
A. Ayad