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Thomson Reuters CEO Tom Glocer Discusses Creativity, Authenticity and More at Stern's CEO Series

As part of NYU Stern’s CEO Series, Thomson Reuters CEO Tom Glocer was interviewed in February before NYU Stern students and alumni by Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporter Stephen Adler, senior vice president and editorial director of the Professional division of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of information for businesses and professionals in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, as well as a news organization.

Glocer spoke about his own career trajectory, which he began as a lawyer. He said his career was shaped by the way he plays basketball – “I hang around the hoop and wait for the tall guy to miss, and then put the ball in the hoop.”

He said he didn’t have ambitions to become CEO. His focus was on making his organization better, and so “position, pay and title worked out.”

Stating that he is a big believer in schools, Glocer said he values employees who have learned a sense of the time-value of money: what creates and destroys value and how; and how to assess risk and reward. Also important, he said, is how to manage people across international cultures.

Glocer argued that leaders need to create an environment at their organizations that allows for creativity and individuality – but that is also process-oriented. “The organization should be structured so that it can function in conditions of uncertainty,” he said.

He advised the students not to be afraid to show who they are and to be authentic. “The person transcends the job function,” said Glocer.

View a video of the CEO Series with Tom Glocer in its entirety.