Top Dog,Top Bloke

Former Air NZ CEO, Ralph Norris, graces the cover of June’s Australian Financial Review Boss magazine. The lengthy profile is devoted to his new role as head of Australia’s Commonwealth Bank – the first major interview the famously low-key Norris has granted. Boss: “The CEO is good company. In contrast to the tenure of his sometimes testy, somewhat aloof predecessor, Norris’ short time in the cockpit of Australia’s biggest bank has been defined by his affability and openness. And, at least to staff, his accessibility.” Norris explains his management philosophy as leading by example: “As a chief executive you are a role model, whether you like it or not. That means how you react, how you act, very much sets the standard for the organisation. So it’s not a case of do as I say and not as I do. It is a case of having complete alignment between what you are saying and what you are doing. That’s very important in creating trust and respect in the organization.”