Dan Sestak has had a charmed career path at packaged-foods giant NutriSelect. But when the CEO unexpectedly passes away just months after Dan is tapped as his successor, he finds himself thrust into the role before he feels ready. Two experts comment on this fictional case study in R1001N and R1001Z. Commentator Bruce Chizen, former CEO of Adobe, remembers what it's like to step into big shoes and advises Dan to acknowledge his weaknesses and reach out to his top team for guidance. Executive coach Debra Benton proposes a few strategic firings to show detractors that Dan means business.

Dan Sestak has had a charmed career path at packaged-foods giant NutriSelect. But when the CEO unexpectedly passes away just months after Dan is tapped as his successor, he finds himself thrust into the role before he feels ready. Two experts comment on this fictional case study in R1001N and R1001Z. Commentator Bruce Chizen, former CEO of Adobe, remembers what it's like to step into big shoes and advises Dan to acknowledge his weaknesses and reach out to his top team for guidance. Executive coach Debra Benton proposes a few strategic firings to show detractors that Dan means business.

When Bruce Chizen took over as president and CEO from Adobe's legendary founders in 2000, he knew he had to confront the skeptics who doubted he had the technological grounding to lead the company. In this interview, Chizen describes how he won converts by acknowledging his shortcomings and discusses the leadership lessons he learned along the way.