Businessperson of the Year

The Best Leaders of 2007

With input from our readers, BusinessWeek has selected 20 chiefs who deserve special recognition

By Brian Hindo and BusinessWeek staff

In a year marked by eroding consumer confidence, whipsawing stock markets, and an ever-spreading financial-sector meltdown, good leaders were in short supply. Some of the qualities that distinguished the best executives and businesspeople in 2007: a steady hand, a healthy appetite for risk, an inspiring vision, and an eye to execution. BusinessWeek editors, with help from our readers, have selected 20 that deserve special kudos.

Steve Jobs overwhelmingly won the readers' vote. It's hard to quibble with that choice, given the way Apple (AAPL) has continued to live up to stratospheric expectations and drive stellar financial results. The iPhone even matched its massive hype, and became just the latest addition to the company's pantheon of cool tech products.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) honcho Jamie Dimon was another top choice. Readers cited Dimon for the way he has steered his megabank largely clear of a major subprime stumble. Rounding out our readers' Top Three is News Corp. (NWS) Chairman Rupert Murdoch, who added a much coveted crown jewel to his media empire with the acquisition of Dow Jones (DJ) and its iconic newspaper, The Wall Street Journal.

But our choice for 2007 Businessperson of the Year isn't nearly as high profile as those well-deserving nominees. It's Mark Hurd, chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), who has quietly cleaned up a mighty mess at the venerable Silicon Valley bellwether and supercharged sales, earnings, and the company's stock. Take a look at some of the other noteworthy executives on our list.