Year(s) of the Comeback(s)- me included :)

Congratulations to our own Hyderabadi, Satya, bagging the top job at Microsoft. Please (Andhra/Telangana/Karnataka), dont take credit for his success, let him have him moment. Now getting to the point, Satya's recent interview, he mentioned Bill Gates return to drive the companies innovation and shape the strategy of Microsoft, wait.. something similar happened with Infosys recently, We saw the (past) big man of Infy, NR, return to lift one of Indias first software company on his mighty shoulders to greatness and beyond..again.

Question: WHY?

Although 'Why' is very vague, it is the most powerful question that exists for all things unexplained in this universe.

WHY are CEOS and chairmans that left their mammoth babies in the care of well chosen and experienced colleagues coming back from the blue to 'save' their organizations and who will be doing it next? Would ideally sum up "Why?'

This is not the first time we have seen these legendary visionaries run back to their companies to save them while their "Step-ins" just enjoyed the perks of the job,ruining the company down into the depths of hell.(IT meaning of 'depths of hell'- no salary hikes).

The most famous of them was Steve Jobs(APPLE), who left while he was on top(ego) and got back while the company was down('They' had no choice-read the book). Companies that usually call back ex-CEO's are signalling they are in dire straights and making a proven winner the best(of the lot) may well be their ace to handle crisis situations.

Companies usually bring in someone new with a track record to steer the ship towards new and profitable pastures, people with "visions"( not the Unnao kind), people who can bring new life into stale and almost deadbeat organizations to reignite innovation and make enough money for themselves and the shareholders (don't forget the Board).

Lately(not in all cases), this has resulted in the mighty board recalling their pals(on good terms or bad) to get back into the ring and really see what they are made of("Guys,This is when you call??").

Yeah, these things do take time and little is left if they fail to deliver, although as Blackberry has shown us recently, All hope is not lost(admit it..it is still the best damn qwerty phone you have ever used.)

Blame the board for "re-calling" CEOs, but it really comes down to this- People, who aspire for the top job, make sure you can deliver or else at least deliver.

Rehiring ex-CEos does well for the existing employees, who are mostly frustrated with the current leadership and are looking for a breath of fresh air( a decent salary hike) but its tough for re-hires to come in and work their magic, We have not yet seen a turnaround as good as Steve's in the last decade( maybe i missed a few.. If I did..no one cares).

Re-hires also need to make it easier for the next set of hires to get in and take over, if they stick on to their egos, they not only set really high standards for the next set of guys but also hurt the existing model and drive down the company without actually being there(might probably explain NR's case once he left/does leave (for good, wait..have you heard of Jr. NR? You will).

We are staring at quite a few comebacks, and will see more in the years to come, the fact is that the current and past leadership in big organizations have failed to instill the same values of vision, confidence and flair that they possessd, in the next gen of leaders who are eager to take over and do what they do best. When that happens, IT could finally move ahead.