Why are the standards that the CEO use more ambiguous than the standards used by first level manages?

Question

The question is related to management.

Answer 1

it's very nearly impossible to write down detailed standards for the CEO, the CEO has to be flexible to manage unforeseen events and to seize opportunities that are not planned. Besides this flexibility his job is so broad that it isn't a good idea to narrow them down to a few pages. Ambiguity allows to judge the CEO on his reactions on unplanned events.

A job description for first level managers is quite simple (in most cases).

the evaluation of first level managers is a simple process that must be done in max a few hours (too expensive otherwise). The evaluation of the CEO is done more exhaustive by a committee and in most cases with the support of consultants.

Most lower level managers would complain if they are evaluated with ambiguous standards, CEO's don't.

Answer 2

A CEO is trying to lead a company strategically in the market and is concerned about not only what their company is doing, but what the competitors and upstarts are doing as well.

As such they are ill equipped to hand down specific directives to front line managers, they simply aren't familiar enough with the day to day details of the operation.

For example in a manufacturing setting, do you really want the CEO on the shop showing you how to build a better widget, or do you want him in his boardroom telling you that you need to improve the quality of the company's projects.

Answer 3

The job of the CEO is to develop the strategic plan. It's the job of the lower levels of management to turn this into an operations plan.

Answer 4

The upper level management feels as if it is 'above the law' or beyond the rules that bind lower level management.