Bill Ford and the Temple of Delphi

In today’s global economy where there are many corporate examples of individuals who demonstrate arrogance, incompetence, avarice and ‘fat cat’ tendencies, it’s refreshing to see an example of true integrity and leadership in Bill Ford (William Clay Ford Jnr), CEO of The Ford Motor Company.

If your name’s on the building and the product; the business is in your DNA, and you’ve spent your whole life working your way to CEO through all the challenges an old industrial rust belt giant can throw at you, you may feel it is your destiny to turn the business round at this critical point in it’s history.

Not Bill. After 8 years as CEO he realises he needs help. Someone to compensate for his limitations and weaknesses, someone who can bring about a change in fortunes for Ford, and help it achieve it’s longer-term vision.

How often do we see corporate leaders taking stock and recognising their own true capabilities? And acting in the interests of the business first?

‘Know thyself’. Wasn’t that what the ancient Greeks carved on the Temple of Delphi?