Comment Section for The C.E.O.s Who Just Won’t Quit - The New York Times

This New York Times article by Emma Goldberg explores the phenomenon of CEOs who are reluctant to retire and the impact of their prolonged tenure on their companies and the economy. It discusses several high-profile examples, including Steve Ballmer's delayed retirement from Microsoft and its subsequent reinvigoration under Satya Nadella, and the long tenures of Warren Buffett, Jamie Dimon, and Jensen Huang. The article also delves into the psychological factors behind overstaying, including the desire for power, prestige, privilege, and pay. The author examines the potential negative consequences of overstaying, such as becoming risk-averse and making hasty decisions about succession. Research suggests that the ideal tenure for a CEO is about 4.8 to 10 years, but many CEOs stay longer. The piece highlights a variety of experiences and perspectives from CEOs who have retired, are considering retirement, or have no plans to retire. The article suggests that successful transitions require careful planning, humility, and the willingness to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.