William S. Paley's leadership lessons : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

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Authors
Brown, Henry J.
Advisor
Geelhoed, E. Bruce, 1948-
Issue Date
2008
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.?.)
Department
Honors College
Other Identifiers
Abstract

William S. Paley was a great innovator of radio and television as we know them today. He was a very successful man from whom a lot can be learned. His career at the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) can be divided into five major decisions that he made that had a great effect upon the outcome of the company. These decisions I have collectively summarized as William S. Paley's Leadership Lessons. Included in this thesis are the five decisions: starting CBS, structuring CBS, capitalizing on World War II (WWII), transitioning into television broadcasting, and finally choosing a successor. I also expanded upon these decisions and explained why each decision was important. Paley was a determined, goal-oriented, competitive, and successful man who changed broadcasting tremendously. I tried to capture all of these attributes in this paper.