Or a design despot. Or a design doctor. Read business magazines as well as creative pubs. If you're a CEO or higher, the ball is in your court. And be hands-on.
Communication management is more important than financial management.
At CBS, Paley and Stanton knew what to do. At IBM, Tom Watson knew. At Container Corporation of America, Walter Paepcke knew. At Apple, Steve Jobs knows. You also must protect the brand equity.