| General Counsel: top business partners and future CEOsInvesting in public sector talent to build a powerful nationKey performance drivers for CMOsMaking marketing more effective |
General Counsel: top business partners and future CEOs
Executive Counsel
What is the difference between a good and an average General Counsel, ask Gilbert E. Forest and Stephen P. Kelner Jnr, consultants at Egon Zehnder International, Boston, in Executive Counsel? Their survey of over 300 legal executives revealed that they all have a very high level of functional competency (legal and regulatory knowledge in the company’s area of focus), but top performers try to emulate and become business partners for CEOs. In other words, they excel in areas like strategic orientation, collaboration and influencing, change and team leadership. Interestingly, their research suggests that once at the top it is difficult for legal executives to keep pace with swiftly evolving demand for leadership competences. So companies may stand to gain from replacing their top legal gurus on a regular basis.
Looking to the future GCs probably need to catch up with top CEOs in two areas: market knowledge and change leadership. So-called “soft skills” are also likely to become more important as more GCs move into the corner office, the authors conclude. |
