Is Meg Whitman Qualified To Lead HP?

Léo Apotheker is out, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman is in. But is Meg really qualified to run HP, a company which has had a deep impact on technology for over 75 years? According to Ted Samson at InfoWorld, the answer is no. Ted hits on four reasons why he believes she will not be a great fit, but one sticks out:

Her ethics track record is, well, spotty. From her sweetheart investment deal with Goldman Sachs to her personal use of the eBay corporate jet to hiring an undocumented worker as a housekeeper and nanny, Whitman’s reputation isn’t quite polished sterling. HP’s had enough trouble in the past with leaders engaging in unsavory behavior. Why risk signing on a new CEO who has demonstrated that type of behavior already?

Since when was acting unethically a barrier to being a business leader? Although I personally disagree with unethical leadership, I don’t believe it has the negative impact it should on businesses. His three other reasons, none-the-less, make for a good read.

You can always compare her qualities with The HP Way:

  • We have trust and respect for individuals
  • We focus on a high level of achievement and contribution
  • We conduct our business with uncompromising integrity
  • We achieve our common objectives through teamwork
  • We encourage flexibility and innovation

Only time will tell how she aligns with these tenets.