Comments on: Top Companies for Leaders 2007

By: Thomas Victor,Berkeley, California

Thomas Victor,Berkeley, California — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:15:30 +0000

I have the same astonishment as Adrian from Sydney as to how these companies got on you list! I’m originally from India, how can there be FOUR companies from India – Hindustan Lever, Infosys,s Wipro and ICICI Bank – that just doesn’t sound right at all that you have them in a list that all 4 are in a list which is supposed to be the Top 10 companies in the world “for leaders”

I took a closer look at Infosys, a company I’m familiar with – it talks of how Infosys is allowing young employees to have their views – but what actual young leaders has Infosys produced? The heads of Infosys have all come from the group of founders of the company even at the quarterly earnings calls I see only the old guys.

By: Javier, Reading, PA

Javier, Reading, PA — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:35:19 +0000

I think it is always difficult to choose the items to populate a list like this. How do you evaluate the performance of a leader? Leadership is the ability or even necessity to inspire. A Leader, one who can instill passion and direction to an individual or group of individuals, will be using psychology to affect that group either consciously or unconsciously. onlinework

By: Bev, Littleton, Colorado

Bev, Littleton, Colorado — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:26:40 +0000

It would be a great deal more useful if Hewitt Associates actually interviewed some leaders of these companies. What most people don’t realize is that these benefits only apply to the very top leaders of a corporation. The gap in salaries between top executives and the average leader/employee of an organization is becoming wider and wider. Maybe Hewitt Associates should measure that and do a report on what is happening to the middle class!

By: Adrian,Sydney NSW

Adrian,Sydney NSW — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 06:39:44 +0000

I really question how some of these companies have got on this global listing. I have just looked at the Australian companies and see DLA Phillips Fox, a Sydney based law firm in the top three. I can honestly say that this company would be unknown to 99.999% of Australians. They must have done some great lobbying to get on this list. Maybe the guy who runs my local deli could get on the list if he tried !

By: Ramjam Dallas USA

Ramjam Dallas USA — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:20:43 +0000

A CEO is like a head of a human being with active brain.All the other parts of the body reflect various levels of executives and employees which makes the organisation full.

A CEO realises the simple fact he needs every part of his body to deliver in full capacity to perform with efficiancy and therfore has his periodical medical reviews done with out fear or negligence.

Similar should be CEOs approach to the organisation and its various assembleies.

Any neglect means disasater to the body and organisation

By: Yadgyu, Harkeyville, TX

Yadgyu, Harkeyville, TX — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:23:22 +0000

“I may have lost a job, but INTEGRITY is probably the most important value…” – Posted By New York City, NY

I think that your boss did you a favor by letting you go.

You may not be a bad person, but you obviously were not Director material. People only heed to boses when those bosses are aggressive and demanding. Those bosses that do not demand extra from their employees are not good employees themselves.

The Director’s position is not for the faint of heart. All of the money and perks and privileges that you would have gained are only for those who are as tough as nails. You knew that you were spineless and getting fired will save you the misfortune of being successful in life. I believe that your talents are better served taking orders instead of giving them. Your integrity will make good fodder for your next boss to use against you. Sacrificing success for integrity makes you a better servant in life.

By: New York City, NY

New York City, NY — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:29:28 +0000

A so-called “CEO” once told me that my Director title didn’t mean anything if I was “nice to the staff”. He further said that once one reaches the executive level, one must stump on anyone underneath so one is respected. I DISAGREED, and then he fired me. I may have lost a job, but INTEGRITY is probably the most important value one can never let these “fake poor-excuse of so-called Leaders” poison. In short, show me how much integrity a leader has, and I’ll show you how much of a real leader he/she truly is.

By: David, Tokyo, Japan

David, Tokyo, Japan — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:58:49 +0000

I find it incredulous that Japan — the largest economy in the region and second only to the US — was completely passed over. There is not a single judge, and not a single selected company, despite multiple influential multinationals from Japan. Many of these companies are models in terms of rotating and investing in their staff, with internal promotions to the top being the standard.

From your estimation, any Japanese looking for career development ought to move to India, China or Australia.

By: Crystal Welty, Surprise, Arizona

Crystal Welty, Surprise, Arizona — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:16:21 +0000

Major and small corporations or small mom and pop businesses have the opportunity all over the world to utilize a fanatastic organization. Are they doing it? Do they encourage their employees to take part in it for a small cost? Have they offered to sponsor a club?
I am speaking of Toastmasters International. It is available all over the world. They have developed a fantastic Leadership program to go along with their communication program.
Do you care about the future of your organization or company? Type in Toastmasters International and find a club to check out in your city.
The CEO training is out there the board of directors just have to open their eyes to different avenues of finding or training their key personnel.

By: JH, Amsterdam, Netherlands

JH, Amsterdam, Netherlands — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:34:12 +0000

I’m struck with the amount of CEO bashing! Sure, there are a lot of so-called “leaders” that are in the game primarily for their own gain, but there’s also lots of talented and sincere business leaders. I guess it all revolves around the question what leadership is. And you’d have to admit it: most CEO’s do have the ability to work the politics within their company and network which earns them their position…

By: Ora, Bangkok Thailand

Ora, Bangkok Thailand — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:33:09 +0000

i used to work in GE Capital Thailand. If good leadership means push as hard as you can (dream of) no matter how your employee suffer, yes you got great leadership. I was a finance person…running several financial model each of at least 7MB in file size, they gave us a Window 2000 PC with 128MB of RAM. When we requested PC upgrade, it took over a month, while whenever the Leaders need new numbers, we ran and finished it overnight.

By: Scared, Armonk, NY

Scared, Armonk, NY — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:42:53 +0000

You must be kidding.

By: Tom, Scottsdale, AZ

Tom, Scottsdale, AZ — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:52:35 +0000

How many leaders are you going to need after all the jobs are outsourced overseas? The service sector is not going to need that many.

By: Jeff, Fairfield, CT

Jeff, Fairfield, CT — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:01:20 +0000

I work for GE and I think its success is not so much in developing leaders, but in being successful at hiring people with the qualities necessary to be leaders. A lot of the GE growth traits are part of a person’s personality type…”external focus”, “imagination”, “inclusiveness”….these are things that people either have or don’t.

By: Gaurav, Fremont, CA

Gaurav, Fremont, CA — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:28:57 +0000

I work for Infosys. You have been reading too much PR.

By: T. Kennedy, Spokane WA

T. Kennedy, Spokane WA — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 16:06:52 +0000

Leadership is not based on position, as your article suggests. True leadership is the abilty to advance the objective of the whole through collaberation and consensus. Integrity is a core fundamental to successful leaders. As we approach the retirement of many of the old school leaders, it is critical that those who understand the needs of our future, and the value of our human resource, stand up and blaze the trail for tomorrows leaders. Failure to recognize and train future leaders early in thier career can only perpetrate the status quo. I strongly feel we must embrace this opportunity to faciltate change that will lead to better job satisfaction, increased customer service, and build pride in tomorrows workforce.

By: Gerald, Winston Salem NC

Gerald, Winston Salem NC — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:45:48 +0000

If you want to see how future leaders are developed at all levels look no further than BBY. You maintain an exceptional company this long without a substantial commitment to your people.

By: Priyanga, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Priyanga, Colombo, Sri Lanka — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:34:45 +0000

Completely agree. In every country there are several big companies which does this quite brilliantly. But what about the smaller scale ones which represent bulk of the employement? Do they have the capacity, depth and resources to do this? Fortune probably needs to cover this aspect as well.

By: James, Philly, PA

James, Philly, PA — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 01:52:16 +0000

The best leadership advice I ever received came from Lao-tsu

“To lead people, walk beside them … As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate … When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’”

By: johndoe California

johndoe California — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 19:28:15 +0000

Will, I disagree with your statement. Within a small business, I’ve learned that there is less room for growth and development when there is said to be more room to cross train. These smaller places often lack structure of any kind.

As a consultant, you speak of “leadership” skills. One must pay their dues, but as a leader one must demonstrate fluency in the respective subject material/work and knowledge of the company’s very own structure/resources. CEO’s are not the only people who have control over the performance of the company. There are many, MANY branches. Which is something that may be out of your realm in your line of work. Which may be why you prefer smaller companies.

The bigger firms will always produce more resources (ie. capital, leverage, continuing education, standard training, institutionalized HR/IT, relationships with vendors/resources)…

The bigger firms are more efficient and the CEO’s have to choose to see it that way. That’s it! If they’re there to scam people for their checks and for ego gratification, they shouldn’t be there at all. Unfortunately, lousy leadership makes the hard work and efforts lackluster.
And not everyone can afford a start up of their own. To demand that in lieu of the recent economy is delusional, and absolutely stupid.