I figure there must be some links between top business executives,
even if they?re in different industries. A few studies would have been
done about them.

What are the top habits shared by executives?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 19 Mar 2004 16:35 PST

Is this the kind of thing you're looking for, or do you want to focus
more on executives' personal habits?

"Norton [Bob Norton, of StrategIT] has promulgated his list of seven
habits of executives who oversee successful projects. Such executives
understand the challenge (knowing the complexity and pitfalls of such
projects), exhibit self-awareness (accepting their role as project
sponsor and defender), know their team members, outsource
appropriately, start with a discovery phase, require documentation,
and communicate frequently and openly."

http://iw.com/news.php?inc=outsrc/03242003a.html

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Clarification of Question by markabe-ga on 19 Mar 2004 21:50 PST

pinkfreud,

I'm looking more for personal habits, eg. sleep, TV, exercise, work, leisure.

I was thinking more along the line of pinkfreud/Bob Norton. My guess
is they would focus (with occasional exceptions) on things that make
for success and waste little time with leisure, exersize, TV, women,
intertainment, sports, substance abuse such as alcohol except in
social situations likely to enhance their carreer. Many of them
funtion well on 3 to 5 hours sleep per night which gives them more
time to be workaholics.   Neil

I have a few thoughts based on personal experience and a lot of
reading (including John Nesheim's "High Tech Start Up," Stanley &
Danko's "Millionaire Next Door," Harvey Mackay's books, etc.):

Sleep: most get too little, although getting enough (eight hours or
more) is a status symbol in some circles.  Probably averages around
seven hours a night.
TV: CNN while doing the Stairmaster at the gym.  That's about it. 
Who's got the time?
Exercise: regular.  Running is popular.  Marathons build prestige. 
Staying thin is a big deal.
Work: 10-11 hour days on average, with a half day on Saturday.  Many
take work home.  Some industries prize workaholism, but in general,
successful people work hard but efficiently, putting in longer hours
than most but not enough to burn out.  Because most successful people
love what they do, work often doesn't feel like work.
Leisure: GOLF!  Also-rans include skiing, tennis, fly-fishing,
sailing.  These activities have entry fees to keep out those who
aren't serious (expense also signifies prosperity).  They also require
skill, and executives love to demonstrate their achievements.  The
required expense and skill level create an ideal atmosphere for
bonding with other high achievers - and the ability to network with
such people is a significant benefit.
Reading: business magazines and books, some bestselling fiction
(mysteries, spy novels, books about warfare)
Food: Atkins.
Common themes: action, aggressiveness, achievement, efficiency,
networking, laserlike focus on the task at hand.

You can "check my work" by flipping through Forbes, Fortune, Inc., and
pretty much any airline magazine.