They're paid a fortune — but for what, exactly? What makes a good C.E.O. — and how can you even tell? Is "leadership science" a real thing — or just airport-bookstore mumbo jumbo? We put these questions to Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, Indra Nooyi, Satya Nadella, Jack Welch, Ray Dalio, Carol Bartz, David Rubenstein, and Ellen Pao. (Part 1 of a special series, "The Secret Life of C.E.O.'s.")

Ellen Pao, founder of Project Include and former CEO of Reddit, dives into the pitfalls of tech's broken meritocracy. She reveals how bias and discrimination thrive under the guise of fairness and critiques ineffective quick fixes like generic bias training. Ellen discusses the urgent need for CEOs to engage authentically in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, advocating for a culture of trust and psychological safety in teams. With actionable insights, she champions systemic change that ensures everyone has a fair shot in the workplace.

In this insightful discussion, Anika Collier Navaroli, an attorney and safety advocate, alongside Ellen Pao, former CEO of Project Include, explore the urgent need for a dedicated agency to regulate tech and social media. They argue that the current lack of oversight is akin to allowing planes to operate without FAA guidelines. Their conversation delves into accountability issues in the tech sector, the challenges of ensuring mental health safety, and the necessity for stronger consumer protections in an era dominated by powerful tech companies.