Intel has tapped Lip-Bu Tan, a veteran semiconductor leader, as its new CEO. Tan brings a proven track record of leadership, prioritizing “radical transparency” during his long tenure as CEO of Cadence Design Systems.
In an article revisiting interviews with great CEOs by McKinsey Senior Partners Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Vik Malhotra, and Kurt Strovink—authors of the forthcoming book CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership (Scribner/Simon & Schuster, October 2025)—Tan elaborates on why his approach is crucial to establishing trust: “Creating a transparent culture makes things easier for me,” he says. “When management wants to push for a decision, it’s no surprise for the board. They already know what we’re trying to do. The board works with me.”
Check out these insights for more leadership principles from Tan and lessons from excellent CEOs.
The CEO’s essential checklist: Questions every chief executive should be able to answer
Sending it forward: Successfully transitioning out of the CEO role
The art of 21st-century leadership: From succession planning to building a leadership factory
The CEO’s secret to successful leadership: CEO Excellence revisited
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