Leadership Lessons from Top CEOs: Strategies to Drive Results

Leadership Lessons from Top CEOs: Strategies to Drive Results 21-Feb-2025

Great Leaders aren't just employers or managers; they are living monuments to human ingenuity. The world’s top CEOs have cracked this leadership code, as they've mastered the art of decision-making, team motivation and innovation. But what exactly sets them apart? This blog provides an in-depth answer, uncovering the game-changing lessons from various industry giants, from Elon Musk and Dolf van den Brink to Jeff Bezos and Indra Nooyi.  

So read on, absorb the Leadership Lessons from Top CEOs and complete your journey from an aspiring entrepreneur to a seasoned and inspiring authority figure! 

Table of Content 

1. Leadership Lessons from the World’s Top CEOs 

2. Cultivate self-awareness to strengthen your determination: Tata Steel's TV Narendran 

3. Serve as a ‘Chief Facilitator': ACWA Power's Marco Arcelli 

4. Discover your true voice and stand by your values: HEINEKEN's Dolf van den Brink 

5. Follow Your Instincts: Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen of Novo Nordisk 

6. Embrace tension and discomfort as growth catalysts: Vodafone's Margherita Della Valle 

7. Absorb stress to create a resilient environment: International SOS's Arnaud Vaissié 

8. Manage energy wisely to sustain performance: RWE's Markus Krebber 

9. Continuous learning is essential: Rio Tinto's Jakob Stausholm 

10. Foster empowerment through open feedback: Henkel's Carsten Knobel 

11. Proven Leadership Strategies from Global CEOs 

12. Conclusion 

Leadership Lessons from the World’s Top CEOs 

Top CEOs excel in guiding their organisations through diverse challenges, from rapid growth to turnarounds and economic pressures like inflation and the energy crisis. Let’s explore the most inspiring lessons from the best CEOs 

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Cultivate self-awareness to strengthen your determination: Tata Steel's TV Narendran 

Navigating the highly cyclical steel industry comes with challenges, yet Tata Steel’s TV Narendran has mastered the art of staying calm. He admires leaders like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. Consider this example of his success as a leader: 

1. In 2015, Tata Steel faced significant challenges due to declining global steel prices and rising raw material costs. 

2. CEO T.V. Narendran and his team launched the "Shikhar25" program, aiming to add £789 million to the company's bottom line within three years. 

3. The program targeted sustainable improvements in throughput, quality, and cost reduction. 

4. By 2018, Shikhar25 exceeded its target, contributing £947 million to Tata Steel's profits. 

5. Engaging employees at all levels, fostering a culture of risk-taking, and integrating structured problem-solving approaches. 

6. The success of Shikhar25 revitalised Tata Steel's financial health and embedded a continuous change capability within the organisation. 

Serve as a ‘Chief Facilitator': ACWA Power's Marco Arcelli 

While many of the CEOs lead legacy firms with histories spanning over a century, Marco Arcelli heads Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, a company founded just over two decades ago. Consider these points: 

1. ACWA Power aims to triple its assets under management to approximately $250 billion by 2030.  

2. CEO Marco Arcelli views this ambitious expansion as a "dream job," acknowledging the challenges of rapid growth.  

3. Arcelli emphasises strengthening the organisation by developing talent and accelerating decision-making processes.  

4. In his first six months, Arcelli visited all ACWA Power sites, engaging directly with employees to understand their challenges and solutions.  

Discover your true voice and stand by your values: HEINEKEN's Dolf van den Brink 

Dolf van den Brink, CEO of HEINEKEN, believes business dysfunction often stems from individuals suppressing their true nature. He has noticed that in some cultures, leaders feel obligated to project strength and toughness, even when it contradicts their authentic selves. Consider these points to understand Brink’s success story: 

1. In 2005, Dolf van den Brink was assigned to turn around Heineken's operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

2. Initially, he adopted a formal approach, wearing suits and glasses to project authority. 

3. This strategy proved ineffective in building connections with his team. 

4. Encouraged by his wife, he embraced his true personality, fostering genuine relationships and respecting local cultures. 

5. This shift led to improved morale and business performance. 

6. Since becoming CEO in 2020, he has prioritised purpose alongside profit. 

7. He advocates for diversity, inclusion, and a leadership style focused on giving rather than taking. 

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Follow Your Instincts: Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen of Novo Nordisk 

Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen took over as CEO of Denmark’s Novo Nordisk from Lars Rebien Sørensen and before him, Mads Øvlisen, two legendary leaders. Lars admits that it took time to find his way. Initially, he faced challenges in asserting his leadership and implementing change effectively.  

However, as he became more established in his role, he developed a stronger strategic vision, earning the trust of his team and demonstrating a firm commitment to key decisions. Novo Nordisk has rapidly grown to become Europe’s most valuable company, now worth over £414 billion. The company follows The Novo Nordisk Way, a values-driven approach focused on quality and ethics. 

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Embrace tension and discomfort as growth catalysts: Vodafone's Margherita Della Valle 

When Margherita Della Valle stepped into the CEO role at Vodafone in April 2023, after 30 years with the company, she recognised that maintaining the status quo was not an option. Determined to drive radical change, she made it clear from the start that significant transformation was necessary. Consider these points as a testament to her success story: 

1. Shortly after taking over, she delivered a frank assessment of Vodafone’s challenges. 

2. After a full assessment of the company’s challenges, she announced 11,000 job cuts, reducing 12% of the workforce. 

3. She also led the sale of Vodafone’s businesses in Spain and Italy. 

4. She then secured a merger between Vodafone’s UK mobile operations and Three UK. 

5. As Vodafone’s first female CEO and one of only 10 women leading FTSE 100 companies, she understands the challenges of being in the minority. 

6. Co-founded Next Gen Women in Finance with other female CFOs. 

7. The initiative mentors and sponsors emerging female talent, providing visibility and leadership opportunities. 

Absorb stress to create a resilient environment: International SOS's Arnaud Vaissié 

These points summarise Vaissié’s success story:  

1. International SOS is a global leader in managing health and security risks for multinational firms. 

2. The company serves over 10,000 clients who pay an annual subscription fee for their employees. 

3. The company generates £1.3 billion in annual revenue. 

4. It operates in 90 countries with a workforce of 12,000 employees. 

5. Vaissié is also the co-founder and co-chair of Le Cercle d’outre-Manche, a think-tank based in London. 

6. He is also the President of CCI France International, which connects 125 French Chambers of Commerce and Industry worldwide. 

Manage energy wisely to sustain performance: RWE's Markus Krebber 

Markus Krebber, CEO of Germany’s largest power producer, RWE, compares leadership to renewable energy grids, which require backup capacity for times when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing. He believes leaders must manage their energy levels effectively to be able to step up when facing a crisis. These points spotlight the company's success story under Krebber’s leadership: 

1. Markus Krebber became CEO of RWE in 2021 and has faced multiple challenges, including supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and the energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

2. Amid the crisis, RWE completed a major U.S. acquisition and secured an agreement with the German government to exit coal by 2030. 

3. In 2021, he launched the Growing Green strategy to transform RWE from a coal-based utility into a leading renewable energy company. 

4. The strategy includes a £45 billion investment in green technologies by 2030. 

5. RWE’s renewable energy capacity is expected to nearly double, reaching over 65 gigawatts (GW) by the end of the decade. 

    

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Continuous learning is essential: Rio Tinto's Jakob Stausholm 

Jakob Stausholm, as CEO of a company reliant on maintaining a social license, understands the critical role of building relationships and rebuilding trust with stakeholders. It's an ongoing learning process that he continues to refine. Here’s a glimpse of the company’s success story under his leadership: 

1. Jakob Stausholm focused on rebuilding relationships and restoring trust in Rio Tinto, which employs 57,000 people globally and reported £43 billion in revenue in 2023. 

2. Rio Tinto ships one million tons of iron ore daily, equivalent to the weight of 50 ten-story buildings or 666,667 cars. 

3. A major part of Rio Tinto’s decarbonisation strategy is Simandou, the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit in Guinea. 

4. The project supports lowering the overall carbon footprint of essential steel-based products. 

5. Upon becoming CEO, Stausholm required Rio Tinto’s top 100 leaders to undergo leadership training, emphasising self-leadership as the foundation for leading others. 

Foster empowerment through open feedback: Henkel's Carsten Knobel 

After nearly 25 years at Henkel, including eight as CFO, Carsten Knobel still questioned whether he was the right fit for the CEO role. As CFO, he viewed himself as the company’s co-pilot—providing insights and influencing decisions but not making the final calls. 

1. Henkel retained all 50,000 employees worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic without layoffs and maintained a stable dividend for shareholders despite economic challenges. 

2. The company faced rising raw material costs, which reduced profits by £827 million in 2021 and £1.6 billion in 2022. 

3. Despite financial market pressures, Henkel remained committed to its long-term growth strategy instead of cutting costs. 

4. In 2023, the company restructured by merging its laundry, home care, and beauty care divisions into a single consumer brands unit alongside its adhesive technologies unit. 

5. The consolidation aims to generate approximately £413.7 million in savings over the mid-term. 

6. The savings will be redirected towards innovation and marketing for high-growth, high-margin consumer brands. 

7. The restructuring will also support more strategic and targeted acquisitions. 

Reflecting on his tenure, he assessed his successes and mistakes that shaped his leadership approach. He believes in empowerment, enabling employees, and fostering an open feedback culture. 

Proven Leadership Strategies from Global CEOs 

As exemplified by the examples above, leadership is a continuous journey. Their insights reveal the power of adaptability, continuous learning and strategic thinking. The following breakdown of these success strategies offers valuable lessons for both aspiring and experienced leaders. Let’s dive in 

Cultivate Curiosity 

Curiosity and a willingness to learn can expand your knowledge and perspectives beyond expectations. Asking questions in conversations puts a broader light on ideas, their context, and available options. A curious mindset is also about seeking new experiences. 

Gaining exposure to different environments, industries, and roles can enhance skills and adaptability. Moving to new places, working in diverse settings, and pursuing further education can all contribute to professional growth. Take on challenges, whether through leadership roles or new learning opportunities to build a well-rounded and dynamic career. 

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Adapt with Agility 

Being a leader requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to new situations. Starting at a new company can may you feel like a fish out of water, especially when adjusting to different systems and tools. But adapting to a new environment can mean finding creative solutions to everyday challenges.  

For example, without a dedicated office or meeting space, phone calls and daily discussions with the team can take place in hallways or during walks. Embracing change and staying open to new ways of working will help you build resilience. 

 
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Prioritise Personal Passions 

Focusing only on work is one of the biggest causes of an unbalanced life. It validates the old proverb that All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Finding a fun activity outside of work and making it a consistent part of your routine is important.  

Scheduling time for personal interests, even with a busy agenda, helps maintain balance be it playing a musical instrument, going hiking, photography etc. It's about being just as disciplined in personal pursuits as in work. 

Expand Beyond Your Job Role 

Curiosity beyond a specific job role can be valuable, especially in a leadership position. A strong foundation in a company’s product and platform is important, but working in a startup environment often provides opportunities to explore different areas.  

Gaining experience in operations, client services, and other functions can give you a broader perspective. This well-rounded knowledge can be an advantage, as it demonstrates your versatility and a deeper understanding of the business. 

Support and Uplift Others 

Good leaders make it a priority to support their team. Taking the time to understand people beyond the work helps build strong relationships. Listening to their needs and being available for support creates trust. When team members feel comfortable asking for help, it leads to better teamwork and more learning opportunities. 

Define Your Value Creation Strategy 

Aspiring CEOs must present a clear vision for transforming the company that they aim to lead. They should outline the main strategic actions to bring that vision to life. Regardless of their background, they must demonstrate the ability to drive value across the entire organisation. This value creation thesis sometimes becomes a blueprint for a CEO’s first 100 days. 

For example, a food industry CEO can prepare a four-point plan: 

1. Rethink partnerships 

2. Crack the biggest markets 

3. Rationalise the portfolio 

4. Launch the next wave on digital 

Think Like a Chief HR Officer 

Your success as a CEO hinges on aligning the right talent which means thinking like a Chief HR Officer. Many CEOs admit that their biggest regret was not making talent decisions sooner. Keep the following in mind: 

1. Future CEOs must clearly define high-value roles and identify the right talent for them. 

2. Gaining a broader, more accurate understanding of talent is essential for effective leadership. 

3. Engaging with employees across all levels is useful in building a comprehensive view of the organisation. 

4. Leading town halls allows rising CEOs to connect with a diverse range of talent. 

5. Regular field visits provide firsthand insights into operations and workforce dynamics. 

6. With technology driving innovation, staying connected with every area of the company is increasingly important.  

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Preparation is the Key to Success 

Embarking on a structured CEO preparation journey is one of the most valuable growth experiences for a top executive. Keep the following in mind: 

1. The CEO preparation process is a deeply personal and challenging journey. 

2. It demands a high level of commitment across multiple dimensions. 

3. This process follows a structured methodology with clear stepping stones. 

4. Fully engaging in the process increases the chances of success. 

5. The rewards extend beyond just securing a job and offer valuable personal and professional growth. 

Brand Value of PepsiCo 

Encourage Continuous Learning 

The success of leaders like Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, is the perfect example of the value of cultivating a culture of continuous learning and growth. She championed lifelong learning for both herself and her employees. Key aspects of her leadership included: 

1. Nooyi encouraged her team to view challenges as opportunities for growth. 

2. She advocated for taking risk and learning from failures. 

3. She emphasised the need for constant innovation and adaptation in a competitive market. 

4. She urged her team to challenge the status quo. 

5. She recognised the value of a diverse workforce in improving innovation. 

6. She actively promoted gender and racial diversity at PepsiCo. 

Lead With Vision 

A renowned example of visionary leaders is Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk's unwavering commitment to his vision for a sustainable future has revolutionised industries and inspired millions. 

Elon Musk's leadership style is marked by several key lessons: 

1. Musk views failure as essential to innovation. He believes that a lack of failures means not pushing boundaries enough. 

2. He focuses on solving large-scale, complex problems to drive groundbreaking solutions. 

3. He motivates his employees by challenging them with ambitious goals. 

4. Despite a rigorous and demanding leadership style, many employees find working with him to be an enriching experience. 

5. His enthusiasm and ability to inspire belief in his vision are central to his leadership approach. 

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Stay Attuned to Customer Needs 

Jeff Bezos' leadership at Amazon is a prime example of how the focus on customer needs and satisfaction cam lead to exponential growth for any company. Consider these points: 

1. Bezos prioritises customer satisfaction, keeping Amazon at the forefront of customer experience. 

2. He addresses key customer pain points such as delays, defects and stock shortages. 

3. He emphasises continuous research to understand evolving customer needs. 

4. Bezos expanded Amazon’s product range based on direct customer feedback. 

5. In another stroke of genius, the company developed Amazon Prime as a customer-first initiative. It evolved from free two-day shipping to a comprehensive service including instant downloads, streaming, and more. 

Evolution of Amazon 

Conclusion 

Beyond authority, great leadership is about vision, adaptability, and inspiring others to achieve greatness. The world’s top leaders such as CEOs have mastered strategies that drive game-changing results. By embracing these Leadership Lessons From Top CEOs, you can refine your own leadership style, make bold decisions and create a lasting impact in your organisation and beyond.