Gracia Martore has been at the Gannett for over 25 years, so it's no surprise she nabbed the CEO spot in 2011. Focus and enthusiasm helped her get promotion after promotion. "Good managers and leaders observe that and will give you more responsibility. With those responsibilities come opportunities," she wrote to Fortune last month. "But you have to be willing to accept new challenges and opportunities outside your comfort zone -- because that allows you to grow and expand. It's also important to keep your eye on the larger picture."
How does military experience translate in the corporate world? Just ask these top execs.
