Secret 5: Be an Optimist
When you are the CEO, you face good times and bad, and you must balance reality with hope. A hallmark of leadership is optimism. The CEO must see and talk about what’s possible. When Bill Ford Jr. ousted CEO Jacques Nasser at Ford Motor Company in 2001, the company was losing billions of dollars. Morale was low, Ford Motor was getting hammered about quality, and speculation about Ford Jr.’s commitment to run the company surfaced in the press and within the industry.
At a news conference in June 2003 to announce quarterly earnings, reporters were still hammering away at the weaknesses in Ford Motor Company, but Ford Jr. responded to each question with optimism. “We are back on firm footing,” he said. “I feel good about where we are today and where we are headed.
I am very fired up about the results we are seeing and the products we have coming.” In fact, within twenty months, Ford had turned the company around and booked an $896 million profit in the first quarter alone. Ford Jr. also addressed questions about his commitment to Ford Motor. “This reluctant CEO stuff is for the birds,” he said. “It’s a privilege and an honor to run this company. There is nothing I would rather be doing.” When Ford Jr. drove away after the news conference, the usual protesters
weren’t there to greet him. This time, several dozen supporters instead gathered around his Lincoln Navigator. One fan shouted, “Keep up the good work!”
weren’t there to greet him. This time, several dozen supporters instead gathered around his Lincoln Navigator. One fan shouted, “Keep up the good work!”
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