Some decisions hold their value. Others grow it exponentially
GE’s breakup wasn’t a gamble — it was a structural correction that only works when the right leader is in place to execute it. And it worked.
Since 2018, GE’s stock is up 400%. Not because of macro tailwinds or clever messaging — but because Larry Culp had the discipline and skill to do what most boards avoid until it’s too late: simplify the business, focus capital, and separate businesses into structures that fit their markets, aligned incentives, and let management unlock full performance.
He didn’t “turn GE around.” He re-architected it.
→ Three focused units: aviation, healthcare, energy
→ Valuation clarity for each
→ Strategic discipline in both capital and operations
That’s not luck. That’s leadership — matched to the moment and capable of executing the transformation the business demands.
At Eagle Talon, this is exactly what we assess:
→ Can the CEO design the right structure for the business they lead?
→ Can they execute it under pressure?
→ Will their decisions unlock value before someone else forces the change?
The GE story isn’t just about a great outcome — it’s a playbook for why leadership fit matters more than almost anything else in public markets.
The market rewarded Culp’s judgment in strategy and execution — with a quadrupling of GE’s market value.
The question for every board and every investor is the same:
Will you have the right leader before the opportunity — or after it’s gone?
🔗Read the full article: What CEOs Still Get Wrong After GE’s 400% Breakup Success