Beating The Family Business Odds
May 13, 2025
Why the high turnover rate? There are myriad reasons, but failure often starts with the person. Many CEOs are their own worst enemy. They dive in head first, neglecting to build a solid foundation for success. Here are the three top obstacles blocking success for many CEOs.
1. Lack of preparation. CEOs have historically been extremely successful in their chosen endeavors. Whether they come from sales or engineering, they’re usually the smartest person in the room in their subject area. However, being a specialist doesn’t prepare them for the CEO role. For that, they must become a generalist. In the CEO chair, they are constantly faced with issues they’ve never had to deal with in their careers. All of a sudden they are no longer the smartest person in the room. Those who have not studied the role and aren’t prepared for what they will face often will react negatively, magnifying their character flaws and leading to failure.
2. Character flaws. Unprepared to deal with the many pressures and accountabilities of the CEO role, many people react by becoming a micromanager. Filled with hubris and/or fear of not knowing exactly what to do, they attempt to control everyone around them. They obsess over everything from the color of the walls to the format of the company’s business cards. Focusing on tactics over strategy, they approach the job minute by minute as the next issue hits their desk.
Others react in the opposite way: If they cannot control everything, they will control nothing. They assume a hands-off style after pronouncing a grand strategy to the company. They have little interaction with anyone and are often surprised when issues develop. Then, with scant knowledge of the company’s day-to-day operations, they cannot help resolve those issues.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
