It’s a good list, but what bothers me is why focus on the CEO? Thanks to Luke Froeb of Management R&D for posting this last week, from the Wall Street Journal: Keys to Spotting a Flawed CEO — Before It’s Too Late.

I think I agree with one of the commenters, why not choose a president this way too?

For example, among the keys to watch for are

• An overt zeal for prestige, power and wealth.
• A reputation for shameless self-promotion.
• A proclivity for developing grandiose strategies with little thought toward their implementation.
• A fondness for rules and numbers that overshadows or ignores a broader vision.
• A reputation for implementing major strategic changes unilaterally or for forcing programs down the throats of reluctant managers.
• An impulsive, flippant decision-making style.
• A penchant for inconsiderate acts.
• A love of monologues coupled with poor listening skills. Bad listeners rarely profit from the wisdom of their associates.
• A tendency to display contempt for the ideas of others.
• A history of emphasizing activity, like hours worked or meetings attended, over accomplishment.
• A career marked by numerous misunderstandings.
• A superb ability to compartmentalize and/or rationalize.

So how does somebody who displays contempt for the ideas of others, or somebody whose career is marked by numerous misunderstandings, become a CEO candidate in the first place?

I think this is just a good list in general, a "don’t be this person" list.