Being a business leader is more than holding a position in a company.
It’s about leading your team — staff, employees and stakeholders — toward a winning strategy where you build profitability and a healthy work environment.
There’s a wide variety of leadership styles out there. Ready to unlock your leadership potential?
Dive deeper with me as I explore 16 top business leaders and the strategies they’ve used to propel their companies to success.
Key Takeaways:
- Inspiring business leaders know how to think strategically, communicate effectively and set productive goals.
- The most influential business leaders have integrated technology and innovation in today’s fast-paced world.
- The top business leaders of 2024 include Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos and Reshma Saujani.
1. Satya Nadella
| Company: Microsoft Corporation Quote: “Learning to fly is not pretty, but flying is.” |
Satya Nadella knows the difference between being a boss vs. a leader, and for good reason. Before taking the helm at Microsoft in 2014, he honed his skills as Executive VP, driving their Cloud and Enterprise Group to new heights. Fast forward, and under Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft now spearheads the AI revolution.
Satya Nadella’s visionary leadership style has helped him foster Microsoft’s recent groundbreaking success.
| What makes them a leader? Satya Nadella became Microsoft CEO in 2014, oversaw the purchase of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion and invested $1 billion in OpenAI, making Microsoft the world’s leading AI company. |
2. Reshma Saujani
| Company: Moms First and Girls Who Code Quote: “We’ve become conditioned to compromise and shrink ourselves in order to be liked. The problem is, when you work so hard to get everyone to like you, you very often end up not liking yourself so much.” |
Forget the glass ceiling! One of the leading female business leaders, Reshma Saujani, is a force of inspiration for women and girls worldwide. She’s the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a powerhouse non-profit shattering barriers in STEM education. But Saujani doesn’t stop there — she’s also the founder of Moms First, leading the fight for moms to have structures to feel supported in the workplace.
Reshma Saujani has been noted to have a transformational leadership style, always striving for resilience, inclusivity and advocacy for women.
| What makes them a leader? Reshma Saujani was the first Indian-American woman to run for U.S. Congress in 2010 and is an international bestselling author and founded two highly successful companies. |
3. Tim Cook
| Company: Apple Inc. Quote: “The sidelines are not where you want to live your life. The world needs you in the arena.” |
Tim Cook is one of the best business leaders globally, thanks to the care and expertise he has brought to Apple. Since taking the CEO reins in 2011, Cook has steered the tech giant to even greater heights. His strategic acquisitions (over 100 companies!) and focus on subscription services show a keen understanding of evolving consumer needs.
Tim Cook is known for his democratic leadership style, truly valuing input from all levels of Apple.
| What makes them a leader? Tim Cook oversaw the launch and success of AirPods, Apple TV and the Apple Watch and has increased Apple shares by 1,000% over his 13-year tenure. |
4. Marc Benioff
| Company: Salesforce Inc., TIME Magazine, TIME Ventures Quote: “Most of all, I discovered that in order to succeed with a product, you must truly get to know your customers and build something for them.” |
Forget the ordinary CEO title — Marc Benioff is a business powerhouse you can’t ignore. He founded Salesforce, a Fortune 150 giant valued at $235.7 billion! But Benioff doesn’t stop at software — in 2018, he became the owner and co-chair of TIME Magazine, and just a year later, he launched TIME Ventures, a venture capital firm making moves with 47 investments. It’s no wonder several high-visibility publications like Forbes and Fortune have recognized Marc Benioff as one of the most famous business leaders.
Marc Benioff’s transformational leadership style focuses on belonging, equality and inclusion.
| What makes them a leader? Marc Benioff was named “Innovator of the Decade” by Forbes, named Chief Executive Magazine’s 2022 CEO of the Year and recognized as one of the World’s 25 Greatest Leaders by Fortune. |
5. Sheryl Sandberg
| Company: Meta Platforms Quote: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” |
Sheryl Sandberg knows something about being a top business leader. For over a decade, she propelled Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) as COO, playing a pivotal role in their massive success. She’s also the founder of LeanIn.org, a game-changer empowering women to shatter career barriers and build a more equitable world. Her bestselling book, “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead,” continues to inspire generations of women to reach their full potential.
Sheryl Sandberg’s leadership style has been noted as coaching based on her ability to build strong relationships with her employees through valuable employee recognition.
| What makes them a leader? Sheryl Sandberg broke barriers as Facebook’s first female board member and a top-ranked leader on Forbes and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Lists at ranks 36 and 12, respectively. |
6. Bob Iger
| Company: The Walt Disney Company Quote: “True authority and true leadership come from knowing who you are and not pretending to be anything else.” |
Regarding top leaders in business, Bob Iger runs the show at the world’s most beloved entertainment company — The Walt Disney Company! Iger’s leadership tenure spanned from 2005 to 2020, and in 2022, he reclaimed his seat as CEO. During his magical reign, Iger orchestrated strategic acquisitions (think game-changers!) that propelled Disney to a whopping $172.35 billion valuation.
Bob Iger’s coaching leadership style is defined by his optimistic outlook and philosophy of “manufacturing fun.”
| What makes them a leader? Bob Iger led the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox. He was also named TIME’s Businessperson of the Year in 2019. |
7. Jeff Bezos
| Company: Amazon, The Washington Post, Blue Origin Quote: “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” |
Without Jeff Bezos, we wouldn’t have the luxury of 2-day shipping from Amazon that we have today. From a humble garage in 1994, he built Amazon into an e-commerce behemoth valued at a staggering $1.909 trillion, according to Stock Analysis. But Bezos’ vision extends beyond online shopping. He’s also the owner of The Washington Post, pushing boundaries in journalism, and Blue Origin, blasting off towards a future in space exploration.
Jeff Bezon values communication, innovation and employee empowerment, making him a top transformational leader.
| What makes them a leader? Jeff Bezos was named Person of the Year by TIME Magazine in 1999 and Best-Performing CEO by Harvard Business Review in 2014. |
8. Mark Zuckerberg
| Company: Meta Platforms Quote: “Advertising works most effectively when it’s in line with what people are already trying to do.” |
Picture the modern social media landscape, and Mark Zuckerberg’s name is at the forefront! He’s the famous business leader who started Facebook in 2004, and over the past two decades, his ambition has remained strong. Zuckerberg has expanded his vision to own five social media platforms and other technology-related companies, putting Meta Platforms’ total valuation at $1.21 trillion.
Mark Zuckerberg uses a mix of leadership styles: laissez-faire, transformational and visionary.
| What makes them a leader? Mark Zuckerberg was named one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People In The World in 2008, 2011, 2016 and 2019. |
9. Elon Musk
| Company: Tesla Motors, SpaceX, X (formally Twitter) and others Quote: “I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.” |
What can’t Elon Musk do? This influential business leader is a force of nature in the business world! He’s not just about founding companies — he’s about sparking revolutions. Tesla Motors and SpaceX are just the tip of the iceberg for Musk. And when he’s not founding a new business, he’s buying them — like SolarCity in 2016 and the recent game-changer, X (formerly Twitter) in 2022!
With his unconventional, out-of-the-box thinking, Elon Musk portrays a mix of transformational, autocratic and transactional leadership styles.
| What makes them a leader? Elon Musk made electric transport affordable for the average citizen, broke world records in space travel and is the current wealthiest person in the world. |
10. Shantanu Narayen
| Company: Adobe Inc. Quote: “Being transparent about our plans enables us to get better feedback.” |
In 2007, Shantanu Narayen took the helm at Adobe, and the results speak for themselves! Under his leadership, revenue has skyrocketed to a staggering $19.4 billion. He saw the future of creativity beyond physical documents, and in 2013, he unleashed the game-changing Adobe Creative Cloud. This visionary move redefined how creators approach their craft — a testament to Narayen’s innovative leadership!
Shantanu Narayen leads with a transformational leadership style, inspiring his employees to be their best and adapt to change.
| What makes them a leader? Shantanu Narayen served on President Barack Obama’s President’s Management Advisory Board, won the Philanthropic Leadership Award in 2009 and served as the independent director of Pfizer. |
11. Reed Hastings
| Company: Netflix Quote: “Guessing right is a skill developed over time. Not all smart risks work out, but many of them do.” |
It’s almost impossible to think of a time before Netflix, and thanks to Reed Hastings, we don’t have to. Hastings co-founded Netflix in 1995, and let’s just say they didn’t stay in the 90s for long. What started as a DVD rental service became a streaming superpower, boasting over 260 million global subscribers by December 2023!
Reed Hastings dabbles in several leadership styles, including transformational, democratic and laissez-faire.
| What makes them a leader? Reed Hastings revolutionized how the world is entertained by constantly evolving how users get content. |
12. Ajaypal Banga
| Company: Mastercard Inc. Quote: “We have the Internet of Everything but not the inclusion of everyone.” |
Ajaypal Banga is a business leader who transcends industries! He’s held esteemed positions across finance and banking, with his most notable accomplishment being the CEO role at Mastercard. Under his leadership, Mastercard didn’t just grow — it transformed. Banga embraced the wave of fintech, propelling the company forward and delivering a mind-blowing 1,581% cumulative total return to Mastercard shareholders!
Ajaypal Banga exhibits both coaching and transformational leadership styles, even coining the term “decency quotient” to remind everyone of the importance of treating others with respect.
| What makes them a leader? Ajaypal Banga was featured as one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People and elected the 14th President of the World Bank Group. |
13. Arne Sorenson
| Company: Marriott International Quote: “What we can do is to bring out the best in society and the best in each of us.” |
Arne Sorenson’s leadership at Marriott transformed the hospitality landscape. As CEO, he was fearless in making change, expanding the brand portfolio from 19 to 30 by 2016! Today, Marriott boasts over 30 diverse brands, including luxury and premium offerings, solidifying its position as the world’s undisputed hotel giant. Sorenson unexpectedly passed away in February 2021, but his legacy at Marriott will live on forever, thanks to his relentless expansion efforts.
Arne Sorenson led with compassion, humility and vulnerability, making him a strong transformational business leader.
| What makes them a leader? Arne Sorenson led the Starwood Hotels & Resorts acquisition in 2016, bolstering Marriott to its current success. |
14. Mary Barra
| Company: General Motors Quote: “Being a leader means you have to translate ideas into actions.” |
Mary Barra is at the top of the women’s business leaders list! As the first female CEO of General Motors, she’s rewriting the rules of the automotive industry. Since taking the wheel in 2014, Barra has steered GM to record-breaking profits, consistently exceeding Wall Street expectations (over 30 quarters in a row, no less!). But Barra isn’t one to coast on past success. She’s a leader who embraces change, as witnessed by her emerging eclectic vehicle initiative.
Mary Barra dabbles in both democratic and autocratic leadership styles, knowing when to seek others’ opinions and when to make the final call herself.
| What makes them a leader? Mary Barra made history as the first female CEO of GM and the first woman to lead a major automaker and was recently inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. |
15. Rodney Sacks
| Company: Monster Beverage Company Quote: “One of the most important things is knowing that you are going to make mistakes and that you may have to change.” |
If you drink Monster energy drinks to get through your day, you have Rodney Sacks to thank for the burst of energy. In 1992, Sacks and his co-pilot, Hilton Schlosberg, saw the potential in Hansen Natural and took the reins. Fast forward a decade, and they unleashed the now-iconic Monster energy drink brand. A strategic rebrand in 2012 as Monster Beverage propelled the company to even greater heights, securing the coveted #2 spot in the US energy drink market.
Rodney Sacks’ visionary leadership style has enabled him and Monster Energy drinks to compete in a saturated market, with almost 30% of the market share in 2023.
| What makes them a leader? Rodney Sacks was named BevNET’s Person of the Year in 2014 and revolutionized the energy drink industry. |
16. Michael Mahoney
| Company: Boston Scientific Quote: “We want leaders to run our companies, not managers.” |
Michael Mahoney isn’t just a CEO — he’s a business leader on a mission to transform lives! Since taking the helm at Boston Scientific in 2012, Mahoney has been a driving force behind “innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world.” His commitment to this purpose is undeniable — under his leadership, Boston Scientific has completed a staggering 38 acquisitions, resulting in an astonishing $115.74 billion valuation.
Thanks to his assertive communication style, Michael Mahoney has propelled Boston Scientific’s cutting-edge technology in the medical field.
| What makes them a leader? Michael Mahoney served as Worldwide Chairman of the Medical Devices and Diagnostics division of the Johnson & Johnson franchise DePuy. |
Traits of a Successful Leader
While some might argue that great business leaders are born with the traits needed to be successful, it’s more likely that they have developed the qualities over time.
In addition to showing real commitment to employees (both within the business and emotionally), the best leaders share these traits:
- Strategic thinker: Strategic thinking is vital to business leaders’ future success. This includes compiling, analyzing and synthesizing data to develop long-term success strategies. A strategic business leader can anticipate threats, opportunities and vulnerabilities and determine when to change a business strategy if it’s not working.
- Effective communicator: Effective communication is essential for strong leadership. The best business leaders can clearly deliver a message to the right audience while maintaining two-way communication throughout the business.
- Goal-oriented: Setting clear and distinct goals within a business is key to overall success. And a great business leader understands that goals must be SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Setting goals, both small and large, provides motivation and purpose.
- Innovation seeking: In today’s ever-changing landscape, business leaders are forced to think outside the box and leverage technology in a way never thought possible. From AI to virtual reality and everything in between, the most successful leaders know when (and how) to implement strategic technology shifts to make their business run more efficiently.
The Future of Business Leadership
With new emerging trends like AI and automation, business leaders must be adaptable to the quickly changing landscape, with a focus on innovation. It’s not enough to stay status quo — business leaders must position themselves at the forefront of emerging technology to remain relevant and competitive.
Another focus of innovation is promoting inclusivity and diversity. In today’s world, a business leader who encourages diverse leadership teams tends to be more resilient long term and often better understands their customers.
The best business leaders all possess similar character traits to help them be successful. Explore our open positions today to see yourself in a new leadership position, or learn how to transform your leadership abilities by checking out the Better Leader Newsletter.
To transforming the way you lead,
Thomas
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