From the former dean of Harvard Business School comes a deeply researched and practical exploration of the CEO role—and what it truly takes to succeed in it.

Millions of ambitious professionals aspire to become CEO, drawn not only by the prestige of the title but by the opportunity to shape organizations, industries, and even society itself. Yet despite the fascination surrounding the role, few people fully understand what CEOs do all day or why some thrive while others falter.

Drawing on decades of research, teaching, and firsthand work with hundreds of CEOs through Harvard Business School’s New CEO Workshops, Nitin Nohria pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to lead at the highest level. He reveals the often unseen work of setting direction, allocating resources, shaping culture, managing stakeholders, and maintaining the delicate balance between continuity and change.

Combining rigorous insight with vivid examples and practical wisdom, The CEO offers a rare inside look at how exceptional leaders think, decide, communicate, and lead under pressure. Along the way, Nohria distills the enduring principles and habits that distinguish the best CEOs—not as larger-than-life heroes, but as individuals who learn to navigate complexity, responsibility, and relentless scrutiny.

Insightful, accessible, and grounded in real-world experience, The CEO is both a guide for aspiring leaders and a thoughtful reflection on one of the most consequential roles in modern society.