Each year IndustryWeek's CEO Survey asks, "Which CEO do you respect most and why?" And each year we get a list befitting a who's who of CEOs. The overwhelming choice this year, a result consistent through four of the last five surveys, is Jack Welch, CEO of General Electric Co., named as "most respected" by more than 50% of the CEOs who responded to the question. These comments supported his selection:
- "The ability to see the future clearly."
- "Vision and analytical power. A man who acts boldly."
- "The magic to run an empire successfully and consistently."
- "A CEO for nearly 20 years who still motivates and challenges as well as anyone. Has reinvented GE several times."
- "The ability to constantly renew himself, remain fresh, creative, and productive."
- "Decisive, energetic, incisive."
- "Sets the vision and performance parameters. Rewards people." Other CEOs who received multiple mentions included:
- Bob Eaton, Chrysler Corp. -- "Transformed company into one of the best in the world after starting as one of the weakest, while demonstrating willingness to change quickly."
- Bill Gates, Microsoft Corp. -- "Created enormous shareholder value that seems sustainable, by driving market share at good margins through focus and new product innovation."
- Larry Bossidy, AlliedSignal Inc. -- "Gets results. Straightforward. No nonsense."
- Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. -- "Long-term orientation, straightforwardness, courage, communication skills, and charisma." Other most respected CEOs included:
- Chuck Childers, Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. -- "He is strategic in his thinking and very effective at building a company."
- Michael Dell, Dell Computer Corp. -- "Distributes quality [products] that advance the information age while creating shareholder value by the ton."
- George Fisher, Eastman Kodak Co. -- "Has attempted to change his organization without asking his employees to shoulder the entire burden."
- Don Fites, Caterpillar Inc. -- "He took on UAW and won."
- Joe Ford, Alltel -- "Integrity, excellent job in difficult environment."
- Kenneth Lay, Enron Corp. -- "Visionary. Developer of people."
- Paul O'Neill, Aluminum Co. of America (Alcoa) -- "Proven ability to inculcate cultural change, thereby reducing costs and enhancing efficiency. A painful task made more palatable to constituencies as a result of his leadership qualities."
- Jim Perrella, Ingersoll-Rand Co. -- "Has built an organization for the new millennium quietly and with class."
