The evaluation process for any awards ceremony is always challenging, with different judges bringing widely varying perspectives on who should win – and why. Business in Vancouver got to the bottom of the process by asking this year's judges to share what character traits they think make a truly successful CEO.
Lindsay Gordon, former president and CEO of HSBC Bank Canada, said that it's all about a fine balancing act.
"I'm not a big reader of business books, but one that has stuck with me is Good to Great by Jim Collins, in which leadership is characterized by intense determination accompanied
by great humility," Gordon said. "I would put passion, persistence and humility at the top of the list. And you have to experience failure and learn from it."
Guff Muench, vice-chair of Westport Innovations, was looking for four key leadership characteristics based around building success when judging this year's top CEOs.
He told BIV, "When I think of successful CEOs, leaders who have delivered great results over the long term, I have observed four characteristics: obsession with delivering results; long-term strategic thinking; a healthy paranoia with no complacency; and being a real team builder."
Jane Peveret, corporate director of CIBC, Encana, Postmedia, BC Ferries, NW Natural and AEGIS Insurance Services, talks of strength of character.
"A CEO must have the courage to lead and the self-confidence to surround themselves with highly talented individuals who are encouraged to develop their own abilities," she said. "The best CEOs also make the time to be leaders in their communities."
Read on to discover how this year's five BC CEOs of the Year embody these character traits and have used them to build their companies' successes. •
