The positioning a presidential candidate makes concerning his arguments, his treatment of the truth, his composure, and his leadership persona will impact on his ability to lead. In the political world, most people view that a composed, level-headed, positive presentation will be an enabling element in constructing coalitions to govern.
A new CEO experiences a different, but in some ways parallel, path. He or she presents to the recruiter and then to the hiring committee their accomplishments and skills: modest embellishment is inevitable and expected--more, not. The next presentation is to the operating constituencies (employees, suppliers, customers), concerning the individual but more so his views on the state of the business, the degree of difficulty, the degree that significant change that will be required, and the resulting effects to those parties. Clarity, honesty, a degree of humility, and candor set the stage for growth of your leadership persona from a constructive base.
When you are positioning yourself for that new or next CEO position, remember that your initial positioning will be remembered by all the constituencies. Don't feel impelled to unnaturally embellish your credentials and the business prospects--there's a long term price to pay for the short term ego gratification.
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