Balance in business and family important for chief

Chief executives can take different tacks in their remarks when assuming office. Nielsen Holdings NV's Mitch Barns opened in January with: "I love my family."

CEO's West-East-West travels

"I've been married for 28 years, and my wife is the most important person in my life. We make every important decision together," Barns said during the interview.

For him, balance is very important, not only with family but also for the company.

"I don't want the business to be successful for only one quarter. I want it to be successful for every quarter," he said. "Balance really matters."

To keep such a balance, Barns cycles to remain fit and energetic. His real hobby, he told me, is collecting maps, something he started as a middle-school student.

At home in Chicago, Barns has a big room to display all the maps he collected from around the world. There are two maps of China: one made in 1936 and the other in 1872.

"I am always amazed at how could people make such precise maps without advanced tools at that time," Barns said.

Barns led Nielsen's China business from 2011 to 2013, when it maintained double-digit growth. The period brought tough times when the global financial turmoil hit in 2008.

"How could I achieve a 25 percent growth amid such a big crisis?" Barns asked. "But after experiencing those difficulties, you will be stronger."

When asked for three words to describe himself, Barns chooses optimistic, learner and strong-willed.

For me, Barns is also very smart and offers strong leadership.

He was recently impressed by the book Multipliers, which he says teachers leaders how to make people around them smarter and stronger.