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Because CEO jobs (as with most other valuable things in life) aren't doled out solely based on merit or track record. Mayer is one of the few women in a high-profile position in the Valley, and hiring a female CEO can be good for optics.

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To be fair most of the male CEOs get hired because of their story rather than raw skills. Honestly, the dye has been cast before Mayer entered the fray, but she cashed the hype and that was my only point of criticism. She will live to be CEO of another company and it could be sooner than most of us expect.

Was the die cast before Steve Jobs returned to Apple? I read it had less than 1 year of runway. I do not think Yahoo has ever been in such a dire position...

Steve Jobs was a rare talented individual who actually mattered in the CEO position.

Many CEOs have negligible impact.

Agree.

Judging her on her track record would just be sexist.

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