When leadership from within makes sense

Few companies achieve a level of success that inspires people to write books about them. One such company is San Diego-based Qualcomm, whose staggering growth and business success is the subject of a recent corporate biography by wireless analyst Dave Mock, The Qualcomm Equation.

But now the company is at a critical turning point. Qualcomm's founder and CEO, Irwin Jacobs, will retire this coming July with his son, Paul Jacobs, taking over at the helm. In an article on News.com, Mock's examination reveals the decision by the company's board of directors was the right one, although very lengthy and difficult. Nowadays, the industry generally frowns upon family leadership due to past failures such as Motorola’s downfall. "Qualcomm is likely better off taking the high odds and staying within its technical team for leadership," he said, "Otherwise the entrance to the executive office might become a revolving door."

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