Although the fall of Yahoo was probably inevitable, our fascination with celebrity leaders has resulted in an extraordinary amount of interest in Marissa Mayer’s recent resignation as CEO, in particular her $23 million golden parachute. Five years ago, her appointment was received with both surprise and hope (an unusual combination), though there was no shortage of critics who predicted her demise. As Steve Jobs once noted, it is always easier to connect the dots when you’re looking backwards. With that luxury in our hands now, here are some critical leadership lessons we can draw from Mayer’s tenure as CEO of Yahoo.
Marissa Mayer’s Departure from Yahoo and the Challenge of Drawing Lessons from an N of 1
Female leaders always come under unfair criticism, but that doesn’t mean we can give Mayer a pass.
June 15, 2017
Summary.
When Marissa Mayer was named CEO of Yahoo, her appointment was received with both surprise and hope. Her resignation almost five years later serves as a reminder that what’s good for the leader isn’t always good for the organization; that leading a turnaround requires more than making a splash; and that female leaders always come under closer scrutiny than their male peers.