MIDLAND, Mich. – As the door closes on 2011, leaving 2012 just a couple of weeks away, many people have begun to ponder their New Year’s resolutions. Business leaders, such as Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, are no exception.
The head of the online shoe and apparel giant says he wants to spend less time traveling and more time downtown in Las Vegas as part of the company’s efforts to help revitalize the city.
Hsieh and 49 other CEOs of both small and large companies across the nation shared their hopes for 2012 in a survey, "CEO Resolutions for the New Year 2012: A Focus on the Future," spearheaded by leadership expert Dr. L. Todd Thomas. Thomas, associate professor at the DeVos Graduate School of Management at Northwood University in Midland, Mich., and author of the blog, Leadership Matters Now, polled CEOs with one, simple question: As you look ahead to 2012, what kind of New Year’s resolution will you be making?
"While the responses were varied, there were common themes worth considering," Thomas says. "Many CEOs are looking to 2012 as a time to start pushing again, adding staff and growing their businesses. They represent neither the ‘1 percent’ nor the ’99 percent.’ Instead, they are focusing on bringing stability and growth to their businesses in order to benefit their employees, their community and their world."
Besides Hsieh, other respondents include Andrew Schrage, CEO of MoneyCrashers.com; Ethan Willis, CEO of Prosper Inc. and co-author of "The One Minute Entrepreneur"; Sam Shank, CEO of HotelTonight; and Mike Ferretti, CEO of Great Harvest Bread, to name only a few.
"One of the exciting outcomes of this report is the reminder that leadership is about courage, confidence and making a decision to lead," Thomas says. "Using the tools of the 21st century, these leaders are ready to get going."
