Comments on: The character traits and skills of the successful CEO — LEARNING FROM FAILURE https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure 53 years and 204,000 miles of business, CEO, leadership, startup, political, military wisdom Sun, 30 Jun 2013 14:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.11 By: JLM https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/#comment-848 Sun, 30 Jun 2013 14:18:00 +0000 http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/?p=2248#comment-848 In reply to Philip Sugar.

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Great comment, Philip. Nothing is as funny as laughing at The Boss especially when he joins in the laughter.

BRC
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]]> By: Philip Sugar https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/#comment-847 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 18:39:00 +0000 http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/?p=2248#comment-847 I love this post. First I love the term “ugly on an ape” I haven’t heard that one in a long time.

But the lesson the take-away is that:

“The ugly on an ape color became a bit of the company’s folklore and provided lots of mirth at The Boss’s expense. This story was told at the company’s campfire many a time and its lessons were learned, relearned and reinforced.”

This is classic what happens at the top flows down, I have said it a million times. No different than your kids.

People could learn two lessons:

1. If you make a mistake burry it and blame those below you, which will screw the entire organization.

OR

2. Own it, fix it move on.

Since you know my theory is that the biggest advantage you have as a small company is that you can make a decision realize it was a mistake and learn from it three times and get it right before a big company can even make a decision you know which one I believe in.

And the last piece the campfire wisdom is so right. People love to be able to recount a story where the boss screwed up and have everybody including the boss belly laugh. Again same as kids. When everybody knows you are fallible they don’t worry about their own insecurities.

Best regards

]]> By: JLM https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/#comment-845 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 14:57:00 +0000 http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/?p=2248#comment-845 In reply to pointsnfigures.

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The notion of hiring excellent folks is a critical consideration for a successful and confident CEO.

Hire folks who are better than you are or were at that age whenever you can.

It will pay huge dividends in the long run.

BRC
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]]> By: JLM https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/#comment-844 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 14:56:00 +0000 http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/?p=2248#comment-844 In reply to Scott.

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The Boss has his moments. We all face failures, even a Big Red Car.

Though to be honest with you who cares about that crap when you ARE a Big Red Car but that’s a topic for another day.

Stay strong.

BRC
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]]> By: JLM https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/#comment-843 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 14:50:00 +0000 http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/?p=2248#comment-843 In reply to William Mougayar.

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The after action debriefing is a critical element in charting where we have been as a basis for where we are going in the future.

This is a sure fire way to prevent moving in a circle.

BRC
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]]> By: pointsnfigures https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/#comment-842 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 13:51:00 +0000 http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/?p=2248#comment-842 like this. people have asked me why i am taking on partners. it’s because they are better than me at what they do. great leaders follow sometimes too.

]]> By: Scott https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/#comment-841 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 02:11:00 +0000 http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/?p=2248#comment-841 Another BRC true classic! This is probably my most favorite post to date as “pivoting from failure” is so key. And the Boss did one hell of a job articulating all of the nuances! Don’t creep up on the bitch, bayonet the wounded and count the bodies! Too funny!

The Boss must be one hell of a man to work for!

Thanks again!

]]> By: William Mougayar https://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/the-character-traits-and-skills-of-the-successful-ceo-learning-from-failure/#comment-840 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 01:18:00 +0000 http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/?p=2248#comment-840 Great post.
Post-mortems and win/loss reports are very insightful if you take them seriously and diligently. They provide you the insight you need for the next thing.

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