CREATIVITY THE MOST CRUCIAL FACTOR FOR SUCCESS, SAYS IBM STUDY

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Chief executive officers (CEOs) globally
have identified 'creativity' as the number one leadership quality, according to
IBM's 2010 Global CEO Study.

IBM Global Business Services country leader, Philip Thrush, said creative
leadership would be perceived differently in different countries.

"In the Malaysian context, it might take the form of quick decisions, or
being prepared to make mistakes rather than wait until you have all the facts,"
he told a media briefing here today.

Thrush said conservative leadership was constantly being replaced by faster
decision-making.

The CEOs interviewed told IBM the current business environment was volatile,
uncertain and increasingly complex.

Less than half of global CEOs believe their enterprises are adequately
prepared to handle a highly volatile and increasingly complex business
environment.

Meanwhile, Grace Chopard, vice president/partner for strategy and
transformation of IBM global business, growth markets, said creative leadership
was truly a new leadership trait that CEOs thought they needed to find and
nurture in their organisations.

Making the customer the epicentre of the organisation is also a top
priority. The study revealed that the strategic focus is on "getting closer to
their customers" and "people skills".

BM interviewed 1,541 CEOs, general managers and senior public sector leaders
who represent different sizes of organisations in 60 countries and 33 industries
between September 2009 and January 2010.
-- BERNAMA