Great CEOs need to be chameleons, adapting their leadership styles to fit the company’s stage of
growth. Two key archetypes emerge: the Prophet and the Barbarian.
● The Prophet – Visionary Leader. The Prophet is the visionary CEO, much like a religious leader. They
ignite passion with a transformative idea, inspiring early adopters and fostering a strong company
culture. This visionary zeal is crucial in a startup’s early stages, where the company revolves around
a core idea. Think Steve Jobs, whose unwavering belief in the personal computer revolutionized the
industry.
● The Barbarian – Action-Oriented Leader. As the company matures, the need for decisive action
takes center stage. Enter the Barbarian CEO – a bold leader focused on conquering markets and
achieving results. They are decisive, unafraid of calculated risks, and excel at execution. Think Jeff
Bezos, who relentlessly expanded Amazon’s reach, transforming it from an online bookstore to a
retail behemoth.
● The Ideal CEO – A Balancing Act. The most successful CEOs aren’t purely Prophets or Barbarians –
they possess elements of both. They can switch gears, adapting their leadership style to the
company’s needs.
○ Startup Stage: A strong dose of the Prophet is needed to keep the dream alive and attract
talent. However, a dash of the Barbarian ensures the vision translates into action.
○ Growth Stage: Here, the balance shifts. While the vision remains important, the Barbarian’s
decisiveness and execution become paramount.
○ Maturity Stage: Established companies may still need occasional bursts of visionary thinking to
stay relevant, but the Barbarian’s focus on efficiency and profitability takes precedence.
The Takeaway
The Prophet and the Barbarian represent opposite ends of a spectrum. Great CEOs understand this
duality and leverage both archetypes to guide their companies through different stages of growth.
