The 5 Most Inspiring CEOs in America

Employees give these chief executives the highest of marks.

The 5 Most Inspiring CEOs in America

5) Hugh Grant—Monsanto Approval Rating:

95%

Total Ratings: 332

CEO since: 2003

Stock performance during tenure: 22% return per year.

Photo: Monsanto

While the company continually suffers from bad press, employees couldn’t be happier with the company’s mission or the benefits it provides.

“We have wonderful benefits—and the schedule is flexible as long as you produce quality work…It’s also really exciting to be a part of…a company that’s focused on finding sustainable solutions to help feed the planet.”-Current employee, June 16, 2015

4) Scott Scherr—Ultimate SoftwareApproval Rating:

95%

Total Ratings: 278

CEO since: 1996

Stock performance during tenure: 19% growth per year.

Photo: Ultimate Software

Having founded Ultimate Software in 1990, Ultimate Software employees often gush about how Scherr has created a family-like environment within the company.

“The management is absolutely wonderful. It is one of the only places where they care about your well-being…Scott Scherr genuinely cares for all of the employees and it is a great honor to work under him.”

-Current employee, July 31, 2015

3) Mark Zuckerberg—Facebook Approval Rating:

95%

Total Ratings: 728

CEO since: 2004

Stock performance during tenure: 35% growth per year.

Photo: Facebook

The company is renowned for its loose corporate culture and focus on “moving fast and breaking things”, with Zuckerberg being the force behind such approaches.

“It’s more open than any other place I’ve worked at. At a company-wide level…secret projects…important non-public business metrics and the like are all openly discussed. You can ask questions about them directly to Zuckerberg at the weekly Q&A.”

-Current employee of more than one year, March 17, 2014

2) Mark Parker—Nike Approval Rating:

97%

Total Reviews: 698

CEO since: 2006

Stock performance during tenure: 22% growth per year.

Photo: Nike

Parker was a competitive runner in college who joined Nike back in the 1970s. He is credited with keeping a light—but focused and competitive—culture at the company, while focusing on the physical health of employees.

“[Nike has a] casual work environment and plenty of fitness facilities where most departments encourage a work-life balance.”

Former employee of more than 10 years, August 2, 2015

1) Larry Page—Google Approval Rating:

97%

Total Reviews: 1,644

CEO since: 2011

Stock performance during tenure: 22% growth per year.

Much like Facebook, Google’s culture is an outgrowth of Page’s view that employees need autonomy and respect. Given that, he believes, they can produce revolutionary products.

“The company is amazingly open: every week Larry Page and Sergey Brin host what’s called TGIF where food, beer, wine, etc. is served, a new project is presented, and afterward there’s an open forum to ask executives anything you want.”

-Current employee, May 10, 2014

As you can see, investing in companies run by inspirational CEOs can make a comfortable retirement much more possible.

But what if you’re already on the cusp of retirement?

Check out…

The $60K Social Security Bonus Most Retirees Completely Overlook