Jack Welch spent 40 years at General Electric (GE). For 20 of those years he was GE's top executive. He has been called one of the most influential chief executive officers of the last century because during his tenure as the top executive the market value of GE increased to $400 billion. The Wall Street Journal estimated that Welch was personally worth as much as $800 million.

Jack Welch thinks he is 6 feet, 4 inches, tall with hair. In actuality, Welch is not even 6 feet tall and he is bald. However, Welch says that acting and feeling taller and hairier gave him the self-confidence he needed to succeed in business. He goes on to say that building self-confidence is the most important thing you can learn.

When asked how to lead and motivate employees, Welch says "Plaques have a place, but they are awful. Cash is much better." He goes on to say, "Nothing's worse than working for a company that's losing." "Let people know exactly where they stand all the time," said Welch. Welch also stated, "If you're in a place where you don't like what you're doing, you can't perform. Get out. Go take a swing. Don't end up feeling trapped."

Source: Adapted from Andrea L. Stape, "GE's Former Chief Expounds on his Management Style," The Providence Journal, Rhode Island. Distributed by KnightRidder/Tribune Business News, October 8, 2005, pg. 1.