By Steven B. McKinney

McKinney Consulting Inc.

A CEO has the power, resources and potential to be a celebrity. He or she can walk into a room, meet an employee for the first time and impart a few words that change that person’s outlook for a lifetime. That’s influence. That’s responsibility. That’s celebrity power. Use it or abuse it, it’s your choice. 

Back in World War II, there was a saying, "Loose lips sink ships." In business, sometimes the opposite is also true, "Loose lips raise ships, too." Never is this truer than in the power a few well-chosen words from the CEO can do to energize the rank and file. Just as bad bosses can destroy their subordinates with careless talk, well-thought-out words at the right place and time can do wonders for moving the mission statement from the glass case, to out, into the wild.

For better or worse, CEO's bestride their companies like generals bestride their parade fields. In larger companies, where the CEO is rarely if ever seen by the average trooper in the field, the boss doesn't just manage the company he reigns over it. He is as close to corporate royalty as one can aspire to. He can change policy with a word, and send entire teams on new trajectories with a mere glance. This is true power.

How to Use It

How many powerful things has your CEO said to anyone lately? And how many dumb things that your boss has said (in total) can you remember? It seems bosses are good at saying dumb things. Is this because bosses wander out intending to upset people, ruffle feathers, and cause productivity losses? Or is it because they are generally not attentive to the true force and power their words have? How much better would your company be, how much more harmonious and productive would all your people be, if everything your Celebrity CEO said was honed, planned, and aimed for effect? Why do the only memorable things your CEO says have to be the bad ones?

"You ARE paid to think!"

Are we living in a looking glass world? Of course not, no company can survive today when everyone is not using their noodle. "Bring the ideas on! I want to hear what you have to say! There's no such thing as a bad idea!"

"It's my way, your way, our way. Doesn't matter as long as we go together."

Forget the highway. If I'm wrong I want to know it. Early. Can we do better? I know I don't have a lock on the best way to do everything.

"I've got my eye on you." "And you've done some pretty cool things lately."

You don't have to give them a promotion. You don't have to give them a raise. You just have to tell them you care whether or not they do a good job, and that you appreciate what you see. For most people, it means more than money.

"Well, duh! Really? Hey, that's right!"

Some obvious things need to be said to be obvious. When you are getting even the obvious things out of people you know you're in the money. Your people feel totally liberated. They feel unafraid to stand up and be counted. Move 2 squares forward and roll again.

"Just make it happen." "And we'll all stay here with you and help you do it. Cause it's a tough nut to crack."

No man is an island. Don't put your people out on one and expect them to come back with a miracle. They need your support, your pushing, and your sympathetic ear when there are obstacles they just can't seem to overcome. Yeah, maybe it sounds like an excuse, but just maybe the excuse is that she doesn't want to be blamed when the project falls on its face. Is it okay to fail? Is it okay to fail - alone?

CEO's, pick your words to your people like you would pick your battles. You wouldn't wander into a fight carelessly, don't wander into a room full of "friendlies" that way either. Your people will thank you for it, as they rack up win after win after win.

A CEO has the power, resources and potential to be a celebrity. Use it or abuse it, it’s your choice.

Steven B. McKinney is the founder and president of McKinney Consulting Inc., Korea's most trusted executive search firm.  McKinney Consulting offers comprehensive range of personal resource services to a wide cross-section of companies opertaing in Korea and Asia.  Mr. McKinney is a globally established commentator on international management. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .