Breakfast News: 4 CEOs Playing the Long Game

What separates a capable CEO from a great one? It's not just vision or great timing. When you look closely at the architects of some of the biggest businesses, distinct patterns of greatness begin to emerge. Four Fools — two from Team Rule Breakers, two from Team Hidden Gems — each named one CEO they believe best exemplifies this rare tier of leadership.

Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »

None of these CEOs shares the same playbook. Yet, beneath their varying styles, all share something in common: ruthless execution, fanatic focus on moats, and the conviction to make big, contrarian bets.

Cloudflare (NYSE: NET) co-founder and CEO Matthew Prince is not one to keep his opinions to himself. He is often seen as a polarizing figure in the tech world. I see him as a passionate leader who believes deeply in Cloudflare's potential.

Here's a fun fact: Prince wrote his first computer program at the ripe old age of seven! So, to say tech is in his blood would be an understatement. That early spark eventually led to 2009, when Prince teamed up with colleagues Michelle Zatlyn and Lee Holloway to found Cloudflare with the mission "to help build a better internet."

One thing that stands out is Prince's forward-thinking and competitive drive. He reminds me a lot of Jeff Bezos, as he's equally relentless in his pursuit of the company's mission.

Prince owns 75% of the company's class B shares, giving him 39% total voting power. We Fools love to see leaders with skin in the game. It doesn't mean an investment will always work out, but it signals leadership's incentive to steer the business in the right direction. So far, it's working out well for long-term owners of the stock; shares are up over 1,500% since its IPO in September 2019.

Adaptability is necessary for longevity, and a long, effective tenure is essential for greatness. Ted Sarandos has helped create many millionaires in his 26 years at Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX).

He spent the first 20 years leading Netflix's content operations, and he's been co-CEO for the last six years. Four major strategic shifts have defined Netflix under Sarandos:

From bulk DVD by mail to streaming licensed content.

From streaming licensed content to producing original content, ushering in "binge watching" in the process.

From a regional U.S. streamer to a global provider with content in local languages.

From subscription-only to on-demand streaming subscription plus ads, including live events.