Would You Hire Kamala Harris as CEO?

Many individuals have debated whether Kamala Harris would make a good CEO. Here, we explore the differences between running a business and being a leader of the free world, and whether her experience in the public sector would be valuable in a corporate setting.

Contrasting Roles: CEO vs. Government Leader

In a heartbeat, I’d love to have the opportunity to hire Kamala Harris as the CEO of my company. The idea of having such a capable and experienced individual at the helm is both appealing and reassuring. However, despite this sentiment, it is important to recognize the significant differences between running a business and serving as a leader of the free world.

Public Sector Experience

Kamala Harris possesses substantial managerial experience in the public sector. For six years, she served as the District Attorney of San Francisco, overseeing an office with several hundred employees and an annual budget of approximately $70 million. Additionally, she held the position of Attorney General of California for six years, leading an organization with over 4,000 employees and a budget of around $1 billion.

Entrepreneurial vs. Leadership Competencies

While her experience in the public sector is commendable, there is a fundamental distinction between running a business and leading a company. The primary objective of a company is to generate profit. Conversely, the core mission of government is to promote the welfare of its citizens, with profit not being a priority or even a consideration. Running the government as if it were a company could result in a failed government, as evidenced by past leaders.

Historically, politicians who have attempted to run businesses often struggle. For instance, Donald Trump's repeated bankruptcies demonstrate that he was not successful in balancing budgets and paying down the national debt. This serves as a reminder of the distinct skill sets required for different roles.

Political and Business Leadership Skills

Not all politicians make good CEOs, and not all business leaders make good politicians. Business leaders often excel in managing resources and achieving financial goals, but they may lack the skills needed to navigate the complex political landscape. Conversely, politicians are adept at leading and representing constituents, but they may not have the necessary experience in running a company.

Harris is a lawyer and a politician, making her experience more aligned with public sector management than corporate leadership. Her transition from legal and political roles to corporate leadership would likely present significant challenges. While she might excel as the President of the US, her skills are better suited for managing a country than a corporation.

Potential in Corporate Leadership

It's also worth considering that Harris has no direct experience in running a company. If she had retired from politics and aimed to enter the corporate world, her background in criminal law might be more relevant. However, her primary credentials are in law and public service.

Given her lack of hands-on experience in corporate management, it is unlikely that she would be the ideal candidate for a CEO position. For a role that requires competitive business acumen and strategic financial management, a candidate with a business degree and extensive business experience would be more appropriate.

Conclusion

While Kamala Harris has valuable experience in the public sector and political leadership, her roles in government are not necessarily transferable to corporate management. Corporate leadership demands a different set of skills, including business acumen, financial management, and strategic decision-making, which are not the core competencies of a government leader.

Therefore, while she would make an excellent CEO if the board of directors considered her for such a role, in her current context, her experience and skills are more suited to leading the free world rather than running a company.