When Growth Stalls: How It Happens, Why You're Stuck, and What to Do About It

7.3. I Want It Now

The biggest challenge to consistency, however, may be the pressure for immediate results. That's true of all companies, but especially those that are publicly traded. Bob Nardelli, who after his Home Depot experience became CEO of privatized Chrysler, was asked at an early staff meeting if the company was bankrupt. "Technically, no," Nardelli answered. "Operationally, yes. The only thing that keeps us from going into bankruptcy is the $10 billion investors entrusted with us." I doubt he would have felt free enough to be that frank if hundreds of Wall Street analysts were still breathing down his neck (or if he knew he'd be seeking a government bailout a few months later).^[]

The average tenure of a CMO, according to recruiting ...