The Daily Stoic

William D. Cohan on Power, Ego, and the Imperial CEO

Feb 25, 2023

William D. Cohan, a seasoned business writer and former investigative reporter, dives into power, ego, and corporate leadership. He discusses his new book, examining the link between Marcus Aurelius and Jack Welch, the imperial CEO of General Electric. Cohan critiques society's idolization of powerful CEOs, revealing the tragedy behind their rises and falls. He explores the complex interplay of risk and decision-making in corporate governance, questioning the true nature of success in high-stakes acquisitions and the allure of charismatic leadership.

01:05:34

Episode guests

William D. Cohan

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

5min

The Rise and Fall of Corporate Titans: A Shakespearean Perspective

3min

Risk and Leadership: The CEO's Journey

17min

The Complexity of Leadership and the Rise of Audiobooks

4min

The Illusion of Success: The Price of High-Stakes Acquisitions

18min

Kombucha and Risky Investments

5min

The Gamble of Investment and Integrity

17min

Navigating the Challenges of Ghostwriting and Complex Narratives

2min

Ryan speaks with William D. Cohan about his new book Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon, the link between Marcus Aurelius and the “imperial CEO” of General Electric Jack Welch, the legacy of Thomas Edison and GE, the egos of powerful CEOs, and more.

William D. Cohan is a business writer and former investigative reporter. He is a graduate of Phillips Academy, Duke University, and Columbia University Journalism and Business schools. Prior to his career as a writer, he worked on Wall street in mergers and acquisitions banker, having spent spent six years at Lazard Frères in New York, then Merrill Lynch, and later at JP Morgan Chase. His books include House of Cards: A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street, Four Friends: Promising Lives Cut Short, and The Price of Silence: The Duke Lacrosse Scandal, the Power of the Elite, and the Corruption of Our Great Universities.

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