The top five leaders most admired by the world’s business executives are Winston Churchill, Steve Jobs, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Jack Welch – in that order, according to the 2013 Global CEO Survey conducted by PwC.
The qualities the surveyed CEOs most admired? Strong vision, motivational, caring, innovative, persistent and ethical.
“These results tell us a lot about what it takes to be a strong business leader in today’s rapidly changing global marketplace,” says Barbara Trautlein, author of “Change Intelligence: Use the Power of CQ to Lead Change that Sticks”
“The respondents cited a broad range of qualities to describe the same individual leaders, which tells us they recognize today’s leaders need a combination of strengths.”
Trautlein, who has a PhD in organizational psychology and more than 25 years experience helping businesses lead change, says contemporary leaders must have a high CQ – Change Intelligence.
“Today’s marketplace is in a state of constant change, and successful companies are those that can also respond and quickly adapt to the changes around them. That requires leaders who are able to lead with the head—focusing on the big-picture goal and business objectives; the heart—knowing how to engage, coach and motivate people; and with your hands—providing the tactical tools and skills necessary like a project manager,” she says.
