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Secrets of the superbosses

Sep 28 2003 by Brian Amble
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What is it that makes a successful chief executive? The Sunday Times has trawled through its archives to draw up a profile of the composite chief executive.

What they come up with is "a middle-aged man on his second marriage to a younger wife" who lives in Kensington, drives a Mercedes, starts the day early and is keen on early workouts in the gym or the pool.

But while some superbosses work 18 hour days, the Sunday Times reckons that there is only a shaky correlation between long hours and financial rewards. As computer magnate Michael Dell pointed out, "when you’re working, there’s a real law of diminishing returns. You go beyond a certain point and your effectiveness disappears."

Sunday Times | Creating the ultimate superboss

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