Chapter V. Leading the Combination

Combination leadership is a special challenge in an executive's career, not just another strategic exercise or managerial posting. Its success depends on how well a leader effectively works the middle ground between partners and instills professionalism and commitment in staff on both sides. A Federal Trade Commission panel of merger experts concluded that a firm's combination activity is influenced more by the style and personality of its CEO than by any of the analytic models and planning protocols used by corporate staff.[64] A combined company is going to be shaped by what the leader (whose title may or may not be CEO) thinks, says, and does.

The top leadership role is typically settled as part of the deal ...

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