How To Lead a Company

As a turnaround specialist, Dr. Rick Johnson (www.ceostrategist.com) has worked with a number of companies that would be considered losers. He observed the problems in those companies were generally at the top of the organizational chart, not in the middle or at the bottom. In most cases, companies losing market share, customers and money were also suffering from poor leadership.

In contrast, Dr. Johnson noted, “winning organizations have a knack for leadership development throughout” the company. Succession becomes more than just the eventual transfer of ownership.”

Strong companies understand that succession occurs throughout the company, not just at the top. When a great sales associate is promoted to store manager, someone needs to be in the wings to take care of the customers on the floor. When a deliveryman is moved into the warehouse, someone needs to be trained to carefully install products into customers’ homes. When a lead technician is taken off of his bench to pre-diagnosis in-home service calls, someone needs to fill that gap.