In the last decade, we’ve seen the ascent of several young CEOs. Their meteoric rise and the stories behind them have been chronicled in business and pop culture landscapes — from movies like The Social Network, depicting Mark Zuckerberg’s launch of Facebook at 27, to in-depth profiles in Vanity Fair and Vogue detailing Emily Weiss’ entrepreneurial journey with Glossier. These trailblazers appear to hail from nimble and progressive sectors, where trends and innovations must quickly evolve to meet the needs of younger generations entering the market. In tech and consumer goods, potential, risk, and youth are often held in high regard.
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How 4 Leaders Got to the C-Suite—Before They Turned 40
Their advice for fast tracking your way to the top.
December 12, 2023
HBR Staff; alvarez/Rifqyhsn Design/Getty Images
Summary.
In structured, risk-averse industries, it’s rare to see a CEO below the age of 45. There are a handful of exceptions. How did they do it? The author, a biotech professional, interviewed four professionals in his industry for their advice on how they reached the C-suite. These executives shared these four lessons:
- Be accountable for the business.
- Use silence to your advantage.
- Cultivate a network of fellow rising stars.
- Learn when to build and deploy social capital.