“The values of the organization are set at the top. The entire organization looks up to see what the CEO is doing—not what he or she is saying. So for those of you who aspire to be a CEO, remember the burden that you carry—not just to make the handful of strategic decisions you will have the opportunity to make, but also the values, the ethics, and the moral compass of the company you lead. That will be how you will be remembered.” – Richard P. Simmons
On April 23, Dick Simmons — one of Pittsburgh’s greatest industrial and philanthropic leaders — passed away in his sleep, ten days before his 95th birthday.
I met Dick more than 30 years ago, as a newspaper reporter and editor. He was a tough, no-nonsense steel CEO. At the time, I asked local leaders for their ideas on turning Pittsburgh around. In contrast to the others, Dick’s response was typically terse: “We must do it ourselves – I, for one, do not believe in the tooth fairy.”…