Part 9/12:
The episode also examines the sometimes-romanticized view of CEOs as infallible heroes. History reminds us otherwise. Jack Welch, the legendary CEO of GE in the 1990s, was celebrated during his tenure but left behind structural problems that contributed to GE’s decline after his departure.
Similarly, Brian Niccol, who led Chipotle to a ninefold stock increase before leaving in 2024, has faced challenges at Starbucks, where the stock has halved since his transition from Chipotle. These examples underscore that even highly regarded CEOs can run out of steam or make miscalculations, and no leader is immune to setbacks—highlighting the importance of succession planning and managing expectations.