In the intricate world of corporate structures, the question of whether a Chairman holds a higher position than a CEO arises frequently. The answer ultimately boils down to perception versus reality.
At the apex of the corporate pyramid lies Level 0, occupied by shareholders or founders who appoint the board of directors, with the Board Chairman leading the helm. In certain cases, founders may appoint themselves to the Board, a common practice in the American corporate landscape.
Next below is Level 1, we encounter the esteemed Board members, responsible for steering the company on behalf of the founders or shareholders. Ideally, board members are appointed based on shareholder requirements and interests, and during their first meeting, they elect their Chairman. In for-profit entities, it is often the shareholders who bestow the mantle of the Chairman.
Advancing to Level 2, we find the executive committee (EXCO), presided over by the CEO, President, Executive Chairman, or Managing Director, irrespective of nomenclature.
To clarify, the Board Chairman occupies Level 1, effectively holding a higher rank than the CEO situated at Level 2. It is customary for the Board Chairman to finalize the appointment letter or contract of the CEO, underscoring the significance of the Chairman’s role.
Beyond Level 2, we encounter Middle Management (Level 3) and the General Staff (Level 4), all integral components of the chain of command indispensable for successful strategy execution and business operations.
Notwithstanding contemporary management approaches, Levels 0 to 4 are crucial in establishing a chain of control necessary for effective corporate governance. Even in today’s “flat” organizations that try to remove management levels, some form of chain of command exists, the difference being the flexibility of cross-department operations.
In practice, the CEO wields the reins of the company, equipped with the authority to operate the business. The CEO’s mandate extends to signing cheques and controlling vital business assets—primarily people and cash.
Conversely, unless the same individual holds both the Chairman and CEO positions, as exemplified by Facebook’s Zuckerberg or Amazon’s Bezos, the Chairman remains detached from day-to-day operations, consequently lacking the executive power that grants influence and access to corporate resources.
Thus, the Chairman’s position is deemed higher in the hierarchy, while the CEO retains the full gamut of executive power, rendering them the true driving force behind the company’s operations.
Unraveling the complex dynamics between the Chairman and CEO reveals the Chairman’s elevated status in perception, while the CEO remains the paramount wielder of corporate authority. A harmonious collaboration between these two critical roles ensures the seamless functioning of the corporate machinery.
And come to think of it, whoever signs on the cheques or logs into the banking system to press that final click that releases the funds, has the ultimate power.
Copyright Mr. Strategy, Mustapha B Mugisa, 2023. All rights reserved.
