Slippery surface: Do not fall
The new leadership model is disruptive for a reason—simple yet extremely innovative: it demands CEOs to be more human, empathetic, grounded, and in touch with the day-to-day issues that affect citizens and concern the new generations.
Gone are the days of CEOs posing in stiff, distant, buttoned-up suits, sitting in offices as high as the clouds, exuding superiority and confidence from their new custom Tom Ford. Minimalist architecture and a pretentious piece of art in the background? A Harley-Davidson in the middle of the mirrored office? Neither. That’s history.
But don’t get confused: raising your profile doesn’t mean becoming a messianic, egotistical leader with delusions of grandeur. Recently, we’ve seen two of the most notorious and discredited CEOs of recent times making headlines once again.
Take Sam Bankman-Fried for instance, the controversial founder of FTX, who notoriously led the company through one of the most catastrophic collapses in crypto history. FTX, once valued in billions, crumbled almost overnight, exposing a culture of reckless financial mismanagement and blurred ethical lines. Yet, despite this, Bankman-Fried continues to resurface in the public eye, offering interviews and statements about the future of crypto—seemingly undeterred by the massive fallout. The lesson? It’s a stark reminder that simply being in the spotlight doesn’t equate to being a good leader.
And then, there’s Elon Musk. A visionary, yes, but also one of the most polarizing figures in tech today. From his chaotic Twitter takeover to making wild claims about colonizing Mars and embedding chips in human brains, Musk walks a fine line between genius and unpredictability. He’s raised billions for ventures that range from revolutionary to borderline sci-fi, but his leadership style—marked by erratic behavior, impulsive decisions, and a tendency to bulldoze over critics—has sparked more than a few controversies. Whether he’s promising to reshape the future of transportation with Tesla or firing half the staff at X (formerly Twitter) overnight, Musk’s high-profile antics remind us that there’s a thin line between innovation and chaos.
While these two notorious leaders have managed to rise from the ashes with a certain level of flair, the anatomy of a thought leader couldn’t be further from that model. One thing is to raise your voice in defense of minority rights, and another is to dominate every front page due to erratic and controversial behavior: reckless tweets that crash stocks, late-night Twitter rants, making major business decisions via social media polls, or casually smoking marijuana on a live podcast.
Then there’s the chaotic handling of corporate cultures—whether it’s slashing jobs overnight with little notice, promising grand visions of crypto utopias, or living in a minimalist, almost spartan lifestyle while managing billions in assets. When eccentricity gets mistaken for visionary leadership, and bold ideas turn into erratic actions that disrupt industries and employees alike, it distorts the concept of high-profile leadership driven by something greater than personal ego.
When eccentricity is disguised as visionary leadership and purpose is confused with launching ambitious projects—like building colonies on Mars or promising decentralized financial revolutions—without proper execution or regard for the consequences, it distorts the idea of having a high profile driven by something more meaningful than ego or hype. Public grandstanding and risky decisions made on impulse, all while ignoring critical feedback from employees or stakeholders, corrupt the very essence of responsible, forward-thinking leadership.
The pioneers were the tech leaders who, at first, were praised by the media for supposedly promoting a relaxed, creative, and collaborative work culture. But the facade of “horizontal” leadership crumbled when none of the big promises were delivered, and the darker side of these unicorns was revealed.
Today, leaders aren’t expected to change the world or spread healing energy to their followers. Instead, they’re expected to use their influence to tip the scales for the greater good. It’s not about taking on an altruistic attitude—society and the market expect CEOs to take a more active role, and investors are now looking for more stable, sustainable businesses led by sensible executives with a long-term, solid, and sustainable growth plan.
Today’s leaders are no longer judged solely by their ability to inspire grand visions or disrupt industries for the sake of disruption. Instead, they are increasingly expected to harness their influence to create positive, tangible impact. The modern CEO is not just tasked with maximizing profits but also with addressing critical societal issues like sustainability, diversity, and ethical governance. It’s not about being a savior or a hero; it’s about being pragmatic and understanding that a company’s success is now intertwined with the well-being of the communities it serves, the environment, and long-term social stability.
This shift is also being driven by investors who, more than ever, demand stability and foresight. They are no longer impressed by flashy, high-risk ventures that generate short-term gains while ignoring long-term sustainability. Instead, they are putting their capital behind businesses with clear, measurable plans for growth that balance profit with purpose. CEOs who fail to acknowledge this reality risk losing not just the confidence of their teams and customers, but also the financial backing needed to stay competitive. Sensible, strategic leadership that can anticipate market shifts while maintaining a clear commitment to sustainable practices is now the gold standard.
