1. Paul O'Neill - Alcoa

Paul O'Neill was the CEO of Alcoa, a major aluminum manufacturing company, from 2000 to 2001. He is noted for prioritizing safety and workplace culture over immediate profits. O'Neill famously emphasized that if a company focused on ensuring worker safety, productivity and profitability would naturally follow. His approach was to create a transparent environment where employees felt valued and could contribute to improving operations. His leadership style highlighted the importance of effective communication and a strong ethical foundation, which became a model for other business leaders aiming to balance profit with corporate responsibility.