Read a very interesting book this weekend: “from good to great” by Jim Collins. "Greatness" is defined by Collins by a company that achieves financial performance several multiples better than the market average, over a sustained period.
When I read the book, it was impossible not to draw parallels to United and OGS.
One identified characteristic in companies that made the leap from good to great is Level 5 Leadership: Leaders who are humble, but driven to do what's best for the company.
Level 5 leaders display a powerful mixture of personal humility and indomitable will. They're incredibly ambitious, but their ambition is first and foremost for the cause, for the organization and its purpose, not themselves. While Level 5 leaders can come in many personality packages, they are often self-effacing, quiet, reserved, and even shy. Every good-to-great transition in our research began with a Level 5 leader who motivated the enterprise more with inspired standards than inspiring personality.
So.. Level 5 Leadership is the antithesis of egocentric celebrity - a person who love to be in the spotlight and take credit for the result.
The characteristics of a Level 5 leader is a spot on description of Ole, while the antithesis seems to match Jose and LVG perfectly.
Jim Collins also write in his book that Level 5 leaders are very often underestimated and discredited by experts and people outside of the company while highly rated by the people on the inside.
Something to think about, folks!