January 30, 2004 11:01 AM

Bill Belichick, CEO
Posted by Douglas Eisenhartat 11:01 AM

OK, all you wannabe CEO's - do you have what it takes? Can you tackle the tough issues and meet, or exceed, your company's goals? Can you take your team to the top of its profession? Do you really stack up against the best?

As we count down the minutes to Super Bowl XXXVIII and the hometown New England Patriots head into the championship arena for the second time in three years, many have focused on the team's leader, coach Bill Belichick. How does he do it? What does he have that the others don't? What does it take to be a real leader?

The Boston Globe's business section asked GE's Jack Welch, Hancock's Dave D'Alessandro, and other CEO's what sets the Patriots' coach apart:

"He's done a brilliant job," said Stuart Sadick, who recruits executives for a living as managing partner of the Boston office for Heidrick & Struggles International Inc., a search firm.

[GE's] Welch and Sadick were two of the people we consulted to evaluate Belichick as a manager. Our other consultants were chief executives themselves or academics who study organizations and leadership. It helped that all were Patriot fans.