CEO candidates do the following: obsess over execution and results, instantly and accurately size up complex business situations, and fixate on customer needs.

Weve conducted 1,379 interviews with CEOs in 79 countries. Our sample is weighted by national GDP, to ensure CEOs views are fairly represented across all major countries. The interviews were also spread across a range of industries. Twenty-eight percent of the interviews were conducted by telephone, 63% online and 9% by post or face-to-face. All quantitative interviews were conducted on a confidential basis.