Talent in action
Great leaders are at once inspirational and self aware. Leadership talent comes in many forms and at SpenlgerFox we witness the impact of talent in action on a daily basis. Here Mark Hamill, Managing Director of SpenglerFox identifies his business and leadership heroes and explains why he would invite them for an imaginary dinner party.
| Jeff Immelt CEO GE "Jeff Immelt took over the business from an icon, Jack Welch, and has succeed in refocusing this global powerhouse. He took over on 7/9/2001 just four days before the terrorist attacks. He was not afraid to tear down a legacy and build his own." General Electric's chief executive is powerful for many reasons, but here's one that's often overlooked: the company's AAA credit rating. |
| Michael O'Leary CEO Ryanair "I would have to invite Michal for his total attitude, outspoken, anti-establishment, king of the air, consumer champion. I would put a swear box on the table though..." O'Leary, 44, is among Ireland's richest men, with an estimated fortune of £280m. His airline, Ryanair, is a staggeringly successful business. |
| Bill Gates founder Microsoft Corp "I would invite Bill not for creating Microsoft, but for the huge philanthropic effort and support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which focuses on Global Health and Development. Truly inspirational and taking CSR to a new level." Needs no further introduction!
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| Mike Lazaridis co-CEO RIM (Reasearch in Motion) "The man who invented the Blackberry and changed business life forever, I don’t know where I would be without it....but my wife may have a word or two to say to him!" Mike Lazaridis, 48, has served as a director of the Company since 1984 and is the co-founder, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company. |
| James Kilbane Chairman The Grafton Employment Group "I would have to invite one of my closest mentor's, our founder and chairman, his sense of family, honesty, and ethics has inspired our organisation for over 25 years. He has been a true personal inspiration, and is now facing a huge personal challenge as he fights cancer. I have never felt sorrier for cancer." In just over twenty five years he has built the company into an international recruitment network spanning 72 offices in 18 countries, making it Ireland’s largest independent recruitment company. |
| Christine Hefner former CEO Playboy Enterprises "Hugh Hefner's daughter, responsible for turning around 52 year old Playboy Enterprises in the late 90's as she took over the family business. No problem to bring her father along to dinner!" While Hugh Hefner made adult entertainment mainstream with his No. 1-selling men's magazine, it's been his daughter, Christie, 52, who has overseen the expansion of the Playboy empire beyond print. |
| Sergio Marchionne CEO Fiat Group. "Sergio has the best taste in sweaters I have seen, and his casual dress sense hides an incredible talent for driving change and taking risk." Sergio Marchionne serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fiat S.p.A., Turin, and Fiat Group Automobiles. Mr. Marchionne began his professional career in 1983 as a chartered accountant and tax specialist for Deloitte & Touche in Canada. |
| Indra K Nooyi CEO PepsiCo "One of the first women CEO's of a Fortune 500 Company, passionate and exciting. Definitely a leader when it comes to challenging norms." Indra K. Nooyi, 53, has been PepsiCo's Chief Executive Officer since October 2006 and assumed the role of Chairman of PepsiCo's Board of Directors on May 2, 2007. |
| Carlos Ghosn President & CEO Nissan & Renault "Amazing turnaround and restructure of Nissan, successfully managing two organisationms with completely different cultures." Carlos Ghosn, 55, was elected to the Board of Directors in 2002. Mr. Ghosn has been President and Chief Executive Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., since 2001, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Renault S.A., since April 2005. |