The only thing more difficult than achieving success for startups is predicting who will be successful.   So much of it comes from decisions people make, and that usually starts at the top with the CEO.  Naturally, the traits that make for a good CEO at a startup are very different than what makes for a good CEO of a large corporation, be it publicly-traded or privately-held.  But in either case, you have to ask: are high-profile CEOs effective?

Seven years ago, GE CEO Jack Welch resigned, and after what must have been the highest profile succession planning process, Jeffrey Immelt was handed the keys to the car - or, shall I say, plane. continue reading...