Want to be a CEO? Become a master of paradox | Adam Bryant for Big Think+

[@bilalfnous]

03:30 1. Simplifying complexity 2. Being fully accountable 3. Listen to stakeholders

[@MuppalKural]

The ability to embrace complexity in oneself, in others, and in life in general is not only one of the most difficult and rare qualities, but the answer to the question raised by yesterday's experience. All are daily practices, and only time brings that to man.

[@SpencerBRandall]

*My Key Take-aways:* 1. See the paradox as a balancing act 2. People want to be heard, listen as an act of openness, kindness and respect. 3. Be driven by a purpose that rings true to you (usually for the greater good of people). I wish you all the best in your individual journeys, take good care and enjoy!

[@RicasHomeySpace]

Most of these comments are focusing on CEOs of established corporations. Just a reminder that there are varying types of CEO.... 1. Founder CEOs who have built things from scratch spending 60-100 hours a week of work. And in most cases they are NOT paid/salaried or underpaid until their businesses are funded by investors. It's hustle and grind even up to 5 years. 2. Interim CEOs - those that are shoved to the roles because of internal corporate situations 3. Professional CEO - these are hired CEOs with track records to scale current businesses These types all deserve what they are paid for on the varying levels of their responsibilities. So rather than criticize the titles, look behind its job role so you can truly understand what it takes to be one.

[@maduk22]

60 hours? I spend minimum 90 and maximum 120

[@BondJFK]

@@maduk22 dont you see the upper limit

[@Rudzani]

@@maduk22 So what have you accomplished from working 120 hours?

[@merakiafricasafaris8126]

Makes alot of sense

[@zhanzo]

"complain when things are going great, boast when not" looking at this video, i have the impression that being the CEO of an established company is the best job ever.

[@alexeykulikov2739]

Ability to embrace complexity in oneself, others and life in general is a top hardest and rarest trait do have. Great vid, big think.

[@Deanforbes]

Thanks for addressing the tension between employers and employees. Not many people in business are addressing this.

[@invox9490]

The best CEO's are the ones you don't even know off. They let their companies/business speak for them.

[@logghhhhh]

Doesn't make sense

[@robertd9850]

The more you have to manage people the worse job you are doing. If you hire the right people and ensure they have the right training, they won't need much managing.

[@bigmitchtv3922]

Like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Jack Ma ? Sure they are absolute shite

[@BondJFK]

@@bigmitchtv3922 No read his comment again , He said CEOs not come to limelight to promote business unlike Elon musk and Bill

[@PhiMedia-m3j]

Stop yapping

[@PhantomRaspberryBlower]

It just brings into question is this even remotely the right way to organise large companies. If you have 1000 employees can you really understand the complexity, know what goes on and be accountable for everything? How can you possibly listen to 1000 people every day? So the central paradox of being a good CEO is we shouldnt depend on a CEO being good

[@TeOle150]

Boom.

[@BondJFK]

Its called Delegation Mr, CEO listen to directors not employees directly

[@alexcaminiti]

Answer: Decentralizization. My company is going to revolutionize the audio recording/streaming industry, but I am leading everyone toward the light of power in numbers, a direct economy and fairness. CEOs of billion dollar companies either become figureheads/celebrities, or glorified decision makers for decisions that have been made. Most can be ousted in the blink of an eye. Centralized industry/wealth/politics/religion/ power has been great for a small amount of people. Now is our time. Stay tuned.

[@matthew_cramer]

employee mindset

[@chh8860]

Adam Bryant's column, "The Corner Office', in the NYT's was a must read for me every Sunday morning. His questions were excellent and It always contained an interesting response and/or insight by the guest. Unfortunately, the column was not the same after his departure ... not even close. This video, which I accidently stumbled upon, has reminded me how much I enjoyed his work. I need to find more.

[@Cyno7]

This channel has re-strategised itself well. Great interviews at the start, went through a lull period and now providing interesting interviews again.

[@chiquita683]

Give it a month, its an election year so they'll be back out with the talking points soon just like the pandemic

[@AutoDisheep]

Nah fuck ceos

[@pranavmanie1479]

while CEO jobs are important and tension-filled (the right CEO can certainly add lots of value to a company), I think the most notable problem with them is how their pay has become increasingly delinked with actual company performance. and with the advent of maximizing shareholder value at any cost, ofc CEOs became subservient to just that interest. we now know that that is not only a moral issue, it's very much bad business strategy and doesn't work in the long run. the responsibility of a CEO needs a desperate rethink.

[@funguy2627]

"you gotta be human" yessh

[@jbanders2358]

Because he knows they have zero humanity and will do anything for more profit.

[@charlessmyth]

I cried when Dick Fuld got to walk away with only $400-million from Lehman Brothers . . . :-)

[@ibrahimswiss8714]

Respect to all good CEO's, they keep our jobs with their management decisions. It must be hard, they deserve the bonus and more. Thank you to all the good CEO's.

[@naphtalieh.gbolahan2568]

Thanks!

[@quintessenceSL]

Blather about "leadership" (is synergy out of fashion now) in the face of quiet quitting and the great resignation. Sure sounds like leadership to me.

[@EvoraGT430]

Most CEOs have no clue about leadership. They just look after Number 1 and screw anyone who gets in their way.

[@rickhaydan3433]

All CEOs care about are their companies' stock prices, profits, and their bonuses for boosting profits and stock prices. To that end, their playbook seems to only include laying off workers, buying companies so they cab sell off pieces of those companies and layoff workers, merge with other companies so they can sell off pieces of both companies and layoff workers, engineer stock buybacks. Most of them seem to have no idea how to actually compete in a capitalist system.

[@PabloZarbo]

🎯 Key points for quick navigation: 00:00 *🌟 Ser CEO conlleva una gran responsabilidad y decisiones difíciles, no es un trabajo sencillo.* 01:31 *🌊 El liderazgo se ha vuelto más complejo con la pandemia y el mundo empresarial en constante cambio.* 02:03 *💼 Los CEOs deben enfrentar paradojas en su rol, como ser humano pero también exigente, y resolver problemas sociales.* 03:08 *💡 Simplificar la complejidad, ser completamente responsable de tus decisiones y ser un buen oyente son habilidades clave para ser CEO.* 04:43 *🎯 Ser líder requiere sacrificio, escuchar a los demás y tomar decisiones difíciles que te hagan digno de respeto.* Made with HARPA AI

[@trapbois4573]

From what I see is the as far as being a CEO is concerned, the work you do the ROI is immensely great because someone who works a typical 9-5 even if they work more which is 60-80 hours a week, if you spent that time as a CEO or VP/director, you can make way more in those positions especially in an established company. However, I think what Adam says in the end about the way one is wired as a person, that actually makes all the difference because you are willing to put work first rather than your own personal life. You are willing to network your way to the top. It also means you are the kind of person that can make good decisions fairly quickly and you can do that in your role as of now and then move your way up through the corporate ladder or you move around until you find a group who is willing to put you in those roles. You may have money but the question comes would you be content?

[@skunkbear4338]

It's hell but with enormous satisfaction

[@MyLifeOfficial]

The CEO job is exactly the kind of job that I would love! It depends on your personality type/character, and what kind of things you enjoy thinking about, and using your brainpower on. But I'm sure it can totally be a pain in the backside, maybe even most of the time, esp when you're the founder.

[@joaopedrorodolfo]

Amazing video! Leadership it not for the faint of heart

[@Showmetheevidence-]

Lots of what he said is spot on. Being a CEO is really difficult!

[@RAPeters239]

This video just further confirmed me wanting to be a CEO. Call me crazy, but I'd love to feel that type of pressure. I want to lead through uncertain times. I know I can.

[@israelquito3072]

THANK YOU!!👍👍👍👍

[@EdwardOlive]

You sir are a brilliant public speaker

[@belleweather]

Companies should solve issue for the country. Companies are our leverage point since the US Sup. Court decided companies are people. They control politician and so consumers must turn to, ask and even boycott companies who are willing to act in the best interest of the country.

[@marcin3136]

All CEOs of the largest companies are... philosophers (not only paradox, but also "continuous feedback" / butterfly effect / synthetic and systemic thinking / sociology / philosophy of law (understanding the complexities, not being a lawyer; understanding what they are saying) / IQ-EQ- and now LQ/ etc.), but today also a deep understanding of technology and AI (the combination of the two gives rise to AI Philosophy). Quite difficult...

[@samjoseph6560]

Because I have to think about cosmic possibilities 🤔! No one mess with my YOU ! ❤

[@cmorsley]

“Business is being ask to solve the big problems….” ah shouldn’t they have been doing that anyway? It’s called taking responsibility for the world in which you live. By the way businesses are not being asked to solve the big issues - they are acting on it because there is money in it.

[@carpballet]

CEOs have one of two objectives: What’s best for the company and everything else is expendable or what’s best for themselves and everything else is expendable. If they appear to like people it’s to get something from them. It really requires a person of zero morals and zero empathy.

[@Here4TheHeckOfIt]

"...it [being a CEO] really requires a person of zero morals, and zero empathy". It does seem that way sometimes, doesn't it? And if they do have a shred of these qualities, they resort to using rationalizations 🙁

[@CEOLife]

Awesome video!

[@browe]

"Companies were still largely run on the militaristic model..." and many are still today, when clearly we understand how command -> control / "thinker" -> "doer" formal structures are fragile in the face of volatility, uncertainty, and true complexity. That was fine for widget-making; we're not in that world today. Why is the role of CEO even a given?

[@theolumy8627]

So out of curiosity, who or what position do you think should lead the company?

[@browe]

@@theolumy8627 I'll recommend one of the resources that originally got me thinking about alternative structures: Corporate Rebels. Their work highlights many structures that successfully operate (at scale!) without traditional management arrangements. One example is the healthcare company, Buurtzorg, which has over 14,000 people organized in a highly autonomous network--with a central support team of ~ 20 coaches and two directors. In the US, for-profit companies can choose to operate as certified Benefit Corporations in most states, and directors/officers can be arranged as needed, but there's no requirement for a "CEO".

[@PhantomRaspberryBlower]

The military have long gone past using the command and control model for many decades. Althought the Russians have stuck with it in Ukraine....

[@RicardoMorenoAlmeida]

Most CEO's are psychopaths. What we need is to do is figure out how to choose leaders that are actually good, and not just looking out for the ingroup (themselves, the board and the "stock market").

[@angrymeowngi]

And it makes sense. Many of the psychopatic traits (especially lack of fear, need for stimulation, shallow emotion, charm, lack of very minimal empathy) are useful for what a CEO of a large company does: making decisions efficiently. Too much fear delays or halt decision-making, the complexity of company activities cannot be handled by someone who just likes to take it easy while the competition is trying to kill, you cannot be too emotional when coming up and making decisions, and without charm it will be difficult to sell hard decisions, too much empathy will limit what you can do because every decision will have a negative effect on someone inside and outside of the company. The competitive nature of business enterprise requires a different kind of person and therefore a different kind of leader. Should we test for psycopathy and prevents them from becoming CEO? If you want businesses to fail, sure. The key should be having a board that can balance those traits. The problem is that most shareholders are actually worse than the CEO because they feel safe supporting a bad CEO (bad in that he makes decision with zero empathy and purely for personal gain) because they are hidden. If we can put major share/stockholders on the spotlight too you will see that it is not really just the CEO having psychopathic traits that is the main problem. A CEO remains accountable to sharehodlers but shareholders are willing to look the other way when they know they are going to make a bigger margin. The thinking that the CEO is just the leader we should be watching is how most companies get away with destroying the planet. In the face of bad publicity a company just replaces a the CEO but the people who should have known what the company was and is doing are still there.

[@ZiplineFinals]

You read Corruptible? :)

[@comets4sale]

The Chomsky book?

[@edenassos]

"What we need to do is figure out how to choose leaders that are actually good". Words that mean nothing. You're clearly broke and living paycheck to paycheck. Go be woke somewhere else.

[@sethflix]

It takes a psychopath

[@mct8229]

‘Buy the book’ is the conclusion

[@aknetworkedit]

When you see stock footage taken in your old University. Weird.

[@Filaf]

Interview 1000 low income ppl and you’ll see real challenging jobs/life.

[@sell2012]

Nah you just lack perspective. Each job has its challenges.

[@findandobserve]

It better be incredibly difficult for that amount of money and power

[@masonridgewell8063]

In other words, they face the same stuff like a lot of people in customer service except they make 100000x more, got it.

[@Nicolelogan-bx9zq]

Dividends are what got me into investing in the stock market. The thing to me is, if you invest and have other income outside of dividends then you will be able to live off dividends without selling. Which means you can pass that on to your kids which will give them a leg up in life. Have over $600K in my portfolio as I bought a lot of dividend stocks before, I'm buying more now, and I will buy more when it drops further.

[@Stros699]

Analysing bitcoin and its carbon footprint is not an environment world business watch all we need is an establishment investment I made over a thousands of doll..

[@hannieLech_user83]

No one knows what is around the corner for this present Market. One only has to invest at their own risk or trade with a professional trader.

[@graycresswell-xi6gk]

This is an opportunity for newbies to capitalize on ,it baffles me that people can't see this, trading is everything right now.

[@wannabehistorian37116]

This recommendation literally came at the right time, I dipped by 120k in stocks Market 2week alone. Thanks for the referral🎉🎉🎉

[@Stros699]

Mindset is EVERYTHING. An abundant mindset will change your entire life!....

[@mansoob]

A very good insight.

[@Anime_games-_-XUnknown]

If you are into fantasy there is this story of a ceo that gets reincarnated into the past when he was a starting employee of that company. The name of the manhwa is " A man's man"

[@ChandrasegaranNarasimhan]

I am not a CEO, but I agree with what the person is saying. It is a multi dimensional balancing act.

[@CodingAqyanoos]

CEO job is like the actual brain. It is a fatty meat but it does things that non parts of the body does.

[@aduad]

False, everyone would want the CEO job when they see not just the pay but also the severance they'd get if they fail...not to mention CEO's delegate 95% of the work anyway.

[@FlyingTigersKMT]

Until you do then you don't anymore

[@austinkelly5441]

Delegation of 95% of tasks is the largest misconception people have about CEO’s. Those tasks you think are 95% of their work are really just the 5% tip of the iceberg that you see coming out of the water.

[@nancyferrier8609]

They get a Golden Parachute even if they run a corporation into the ground.

Have you ever had a leadership position?

[@nancyferrier8609]

@ Yes, ran businesses, sat on boards and helped to create a noprofit. Why would you assume otherwise? You make yourself rediculous.

[@princeamu]

Heavy is the head that’s a ceo

[@daniel.valdivia]

I feel like he only beat around the bush and said nothing of substance in the end

[@MrMehGusta]

I wonder if the full length interview feels any clearer?

[@Showmetheevidence-]

Cos you’re clearly not a ceo. A lot of this was spot on.

[@rhombusgil]

Master of paradox 😂

[@neil.o4]

I agree.. 5 mins i am never getting back.

[@jsraadt]

Just like a CEO

[@mack-uv6gn]

Every CEO I know delegate, and get paid a lot to do so.

[@alexsolosm]

It isn't about delegating work to people. It is about delegating the right work to the right people. Something you can't even begin to imagine until you are one.

[@mack-uv6gn]

@@alexsolosm really? You don’t know me.

[@BondJFK]

@@mack-uv6gn Can you understand people by talking 15 min with them or can you take a million dollar business decision within an hour without damaging anyone ? That's the difference between normal employee and a good CEO

[@John-zh1ud]

The paradox with CEOs is they talk a lot and say little of substance, act like they're intelligent but just follow fads, act like they're ethical until you learn more, act like they're willing to make tough choices until tough situations come. Ultimately those that make it there are just the ones who liked playing the game it took to get there.

[@johnsaat1]

Far from true in my experience having worked directly with multiple CEOs

[@Odraude4Z87]

Which is why real people have no respect for them, unless they are deceived fans.

[@rega-felix]

Most of paradox is in political leader, they can make particular things as a whole things

[@Matheusmccosta]

I bought the book without even finishing the video lol let me get back at it Greetings from BR

[@aakashshah1539]

A little bit of click bait

[@sadderwhiskeymann]

Oh poor CEOs, i geel so lucky thst I'm the last of the last of my company's structure. What a ton of bullcrap 💩💩💩

[@rajendrabiswas]

click bait..were is Tim Cook ?

[@mawla3836]

To become ceo you just have to learn how to dodge reasonable fact

[@sjhaji]

Yeah Sir quite impressive for paradox

[@rohitdutt5418]

Stop giving them credit all they did was to start charging people for literally everything first google and then apple you either get 2-3 ads or have to pay for half of features even after paying almost 1300-1500 $

[@souravrudra3222]

What is the background music used in the first part? @bigthink

[@randomize3423]

"Winter" by Antonio Vivaldi... Thank me later...😇

[@stenorio90]

CEO's being held accountable? Why the lies, guy?

[@jefferson6449]

Glad I’m not the only one who thought that accountability talk was some kind of sick joke

[@IanStockwell-if7sl]

Self trust and theft? What absorbs right on the scales key

[@BestTechBuy]

Funny thing is, no bady here is a CEO of a Big Corporate 😂

[@joelharris4399]

Heavy is the crown, sort of thing👑

[@noy.sulober]

Don't generalize. Have you been a CEO, if yes, then I will probably believe you. 😂

[@alexsolosm]

Wow, the number of salty people in this comment sections makes you why people go to supermarket for salt.

[@Here4TheHeckOfIt]

Open your eyes. You'll realize why they're so salty

[@Nimosomething]

They're salty because they called bullshit?

[@SnufjeZout-jz5lh]

The B-roll for this item is so bad that it makes the entire story super cringe, and the story itself is already quite cringe to begin with. Which free stock site did the firstday intern get it from?

[@JetLagRecords]

Big Think, You're amazing! Let's be friends and hang out!

[@TaguKhan]

That job is the easiest, even if you only lasted one year, you'd be set for life and not even live with the consequences of any bad decisions you made. Let's be real😂

[@kirkferguson5821]

My ceo will have a flack jacket pay packet to cover all the bad signs Double died

[@comeconcon569]

No.instead, I want to be a CFO.

[@chrisdemelo6660]

Skynet will be the ceo now. Look at me……. I’m the CEO now. 😊

[@MelonyEnterprise-y2e]

24 hours constant stress and trade off- simply dont have the emotional intelligence to become one

[@mishmohd]

bruh stop venerating CEOs bruh fr bruh on God they're salary men

[@samjoseph6560]

I will create a board with friends! Give them power ! I only interfere when it is uttermost necessary ! Will guide you ! The thing mutual respect ! deal ! but remember I can access it without permission but won't ! Because I will access when it is necessary ! No question asked ! Give earn respect ! And I know what am doing ! Every possibilities ! It's the best 👌 👍🏼 😍 🥰 ☺️ 💖 ! 💯 so peace !

[@franciscodenilsondeabreuma152]

Do you know what's harder than anything mentioned in this video? Work 12 hours a day and still don't have enough money to sustain your family. And be honest, most CEO got to their position by indication, not competence, and their delegate most of his work and anything that goes wrong to somebody else

[@howeichin4103]

Ohhh

[@neoflyboy]

2 stars

[@olivierlessard6783]

I can't believe how much this channel has fallen in terms of the quality of its content. It has completly turned into a boot licking corporate ideology factory. Here's my unsubscription.

[@virtualreality-xu6ji]

I love the idea of leading I am just afraid of the mental tole it can have on you

[@jhwheuer]

Two burnouts later, I am happy you are conscious of that danger

[@Here4TheHeckOfIt]

What stress do you have when the law covers your ass when you mess up?

[@OmarGonzalez-re3jz]

Not true for the most part… sad

[@manujsharma1432]

What a load of baloney...

[@Curds301]

Nice try to humanize the CEO.

[@EvoraGT430]

Not a chance.

[@RicardoMorenoAlmeida]

Most CEOs are psychopaths.

[@DaMorg3]

Don’t paint in so broad a brush. Every company needs a leader. You can argue all day about whether or not executive compensation is within the realm of the reasonable or proportionate to the value the average CEO adds for all _stakeholders_ (rather than shareholders)… I’d guess most people other than CEOs, board members, and institutional investors would argue it’s not. However, someone has to do the job, and we should not discount the difficulty of the role, nor the humanity of the person doing it. Acknowledging that difficulty does not mean we have to ignore the problem of horrendous and worsening income inequality largely due to the difficulty of legislating/policing multinational corporations who are, 99.999% of the time, functionally beholden to no one but their shareholders. As they say, heavy hangs the head who wears the crown, aka it’s lonely at the top. This is not an apology. It’s a reality.

[@BondJFK]

Self made founder CEOs of small business are different my guy

[@hjtam88]

Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla, the reality is you need connections, privileged family background and so forth in order to get into top positions

[@carlosvera2807]

For the traditional CEO and executives you may be right, those are not worth interviewing. But for self-made CEO is a very stressful work. I have met a few of them

[@mkinvincible]

Let me guess, this guy is slling conferences to CEO’s. What a waste of time.

[@DobosSArpad]

Are you an employee of a company or a solopreneur? The statement reveals a context missing awareness of what a leaders role entails.

[@mkinvincible]

@@DobosSArpad I am in the medical field. I make hard decisions for a living. Occasional high stakes life/death. What he says is not wrong; I do not see the value. He did not say anything novel or valuable to me.

[@UBETUBEME]

You Love Trump ? Turn off the Supper Bowl 😂

[@hepcatliz]

CEOs being accountable? yeah, right. Only to the shareholders. gotta get those profits up boys! what a boring video 👎

[@simplysunmoon]

❤️☀️🌙

[@crazycool1128]

propaganda

[@erickaphin8861]

💩💩💩 unsubbed

[@CJ-sg3fc]

Idiotic title.

[@flameinkz]

Best video here simple and short yet very informative READY 4 WAR - FLAMEINKZ