David Cote has transitioned from a driven corporate leader, including his tenure as CEO of Honeywell, to an executive chairman and author, sharing insights on business strategy and leadership. After being appointed CEO, President, and a board member of Honeywell in February 2002, David Cote went on to lead the company through a significant transformation, becoming Chairman of the Board in July 2002. Prior to this pivotal role, Cote had accumulated over two decades of leadership experience at General Electric, where he joined full-time in November 1976. There, he advanced through various positions across manufacturing, finance, marketing, strategic planning, and general management, culminating in his appointment as CEO of GE Appliances in 1996.

During the economic recession of 2008-2009, Cote strategically opted for furloughs over widespread layoffs to manage operating costs, demonstrating a balanced approach to fiscal responsibility and employee welfare. His impactful tenure earned him recognition as Chief Executive of the Year from Chief Executive magazine in 2013 and the prestigious Horatio Alger Award in 2014. Cote concluded his tenure as Honeywell’s CEO at the end of March 2017, continuing as executive chairman through April 2018. His expertise in leadership and fiscal management was sought at the national level when President Barack Obama appointed him to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (Simpson-Bowles Commission) in 2010, and as co-chair of the U.S.-India CEO Forum in 2009.

His latest work, ‘How to Be a Leader,’ released in 2024, further solidifies his position as a thought leader in leadership development.