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Assess Your CEO’s Strategic Fit Over Time

Harvard Business Review

Ballmer had done his job, but the strategic needs of the organization had shifted. As CEO fit decreased, Ballmer’s performance followed and he was pressured out of the job in late 2013. In the late 1990’s, Home Depot’s rapid growth had outpaced its corporate infrastructure and was hiding serious cost management challenges.

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How Microsoft Avoided the Peter Principle with Nadella

Harvard Business Review

Or consider managed-health care provider Humana’s decision in 2013 to recruit an outsider as its next chief executive. Gathering appraisals from other special-forces personnel on the final candidates—from fellow service members who have seen the finalists on the ground or even in combat—has proven a telling source.

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