Chief executive officers have a telling impact on a firm’s strategy, structure and culture. Little wonder organizations today engage top executive search firms to find worthy candidates for top positions. The question as to whether how much and to what extent CEOs matter draws variable answers from scholars around the world. Since it seems a matter of common sense that anyone sitting at the helm would matter, the bone of contention can be rephrased as to when leadership matters most? The concept of leadership is as complex as the role of the CEO which the industry consistently examines and reexamines. Various definitions by eminent scholars vie with each other to define the phenomenon of leadership. Leadership is also seen as an integration of behaviors and attributes that can be defined and linked to performance. The changing role of leadership has commuted a long journey from the authoritative leadership style to the resonant and emotionally intelligent leadership style adopted today. India 24/7 Hotline. Tel: +91 8010772772 Mail us: vijay@cornerstone.co.in Likes FB Page : https://www.facebook.com/CornerstoneCXOsearchAdvisory Tweet US : https://twitter.com/CornerstoneIndi PIN it : http://www.pinterest.com/cornerstoneind/ G+ Profile : https://plus.google.com/+cornerstoneindia/posts Web URL : http://www.cornerstone.co.in/

1. The CEO’s Role And The Meaning Of Leadership
Tel: +91 8010772772 , vijay@cornerstone.co.in

2. The CEO’s Role And The Meaning Of Leadership
Chief executive officers have a telling impact on a firm’s strategy,
structure and culture. Little wonder organizations today engage top
executive search firms to find worthy candidates for top positions. The
question as to whether how much and to what extent CEOs matter
draws variable answers from scholars around the world. Since it seems
a matter of common sense that anyone sitting at the helm would
matter, the bone of contention can be rephrased as to when
leadership matters most?
• Tel: +91 8010772772 , vijay@cornerstone.co.in

3. The CEO’s Role And The Meaning Of Leadership
Studies on leadership and the role of the CEO abound in how CEOs
impact organizational performance. It is interesting to note how
organizational constraints can limit leadership performance. Such and
the like issues are often effectively tackled by customized onboarding
plans effectively offered by executive search firms, which prepare new
leaders for the new firm and its culture.
• Tel: +91 8010772772 , vijay@cornerstone.co.in

4. The CEO’s Role And The Meaning Of Leadership
Studies by Hambrick and Finkelstein (1987) simplified the
measurement CEO discretion and impact on organizational
performance. The results talked about sizable CEO effect and also
pointed out that in some industries CEOs have much greater impact
than in others. These studies also have interesting implications on CEO
compensation and CEO succession planning. The results dwell on the
relative importance of individual agency vis –a- vis social structure on
human and organizational action.
• Tel: +91 8010772772 , vijay@cornerstone.co.in

5. The CEO’s Role And The Meaning Of Leadership
Emile Durkheim the eminent sociologist argues that structural factors
are independent of the particular individual whereas other scholars
(Coleman, Homans, 1964) argue that individual actors create, adapt to
and change the rules of society. Studies point to a contingency
perspective that examines when individual agency or structure plays a
bigger role.
• Tel: +91 8010772772 , vijay@cornerstone.co.in

6. The CEO’s Role And The Meaning Of Leadership
The concept of leadership is as complex as the role of the CEO which
the industry consistently examines and reexamines. Various definitions
by eminent scholars vie with each other to define the phenomenon of
leadership. To a lay man, leadership may simply mean the competency
to effectively engage the energies of Self and others. Leaders are the
source of institutionalized values, which in turn condition the actions
of organizational members.
• Tel: +91 8010772772 , vijay@cornerstone.co.in

7. The CEO’s Role And The Meaning Of Leadership
Leadership is also seen as an integration of behaviors and attributes
that can be defined and linked to performance. From the hunters and
chieftains of yore to the CEOs of today, leadership has seen various
styles of the phenomenon. The changing role of leadership has
commuted a long journey from the authoritative leadership style to
the resonant and emotionally intelligent leadership style adopted
today. Endowed with power and influence leaders are capable enough
to make changes to an organization.
• Tel: +91 8010772772 , vijay@cornerstone.co.in

8. The CEO’s Role And The Meaning Of Leadership
Although, these changes are bound by the effects of uncertainty and
ambiguity, that mark the times today. To search and prepare a leader
for the challenges of VUCA times many organizations hire executive
search firms for the perfect fit and the right onboarding to minimize
hiring errors and help leaders deliver. Saddled with various strategy
and operational issues, organizations find a viable option in executive
search firms for their leadership hiring and onboarding requirements.
• Tel: +91 8010772772 , vijay@cornerstone.co.in