Operating in a global environment has changed the demands placed on the CEO and, as a result,
the preferred skill set. For example, many companies are now filling the CEO position with expert
financiers. Do you believe this trend should continue? Why or why not?
The role of a CEO is very important and requires a great deal of skills. The CEO is the one
who chooses a company's identity, who has the responsibility for declining certain
opportunities and pursing others. The CEO is the guardian of an organizational purpose
watching over the entity and guiding its course (Amernic & Craig, 2013). Many CEOS are the
biggest players in the market holding qualifications in accounting and it is important to have an
understanding of the numbers. The role of a CEO has changed in recent years requiring more
of the skills of a financial leader. This trend should continue because there will always be a
constant focus on capitalizing an organizations profit. Who knows how to get the best
return on investments than a financial expert? In my organization the majority of our past
chiefs and top executives have all come from a finance or accounting background. We
continuously see growth, innovation, and effective financial strategies in place. This trend is
here to stay and I wouldn't be surprised if we see more leaders seeking growth in the finance
area.
References:
Amernic, J., & Craig, R. (2013). Leadership discourse, culture, and corporate ethics: CEO-
speak at News Corporation.
Journal of Business Ethics
,
118
(2), 379-394.
doi:10.1007/s10551-012-1506-0
