Can You Lead in a Hoodie? Mark Zuckerberg Thinks So

PALO ALTO, Calif. (MainStreet) -- In less than 10 years, Mark Zuckerberg has gone from Harvard dropout to chairman and chief executive of one of the most hyped and soon-to-be largest public companies in the U.S. Yet can you lead a $100 billion company with the dress code of a socially awkward teenager?

According to management experts, Zuckerberg -- who just turned 28 on Monday and is already one of the youngest billionaires in history -- can teach the business community plenty when it comes to leadership.

If you haven't seen it already, Zuckerberg's touching and now famous message posted on his Facebook page following the October 2011 death of Apple's(AAPL) Steve Jobs shows just what this young entrepreneur and innovator aspires to be.

Facebook co-creator, chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Zuckerberg wrote: "Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

Like Jobs, Zuckerberg's social media giant has changed the world.

And similar to Jobs, Zuckerberg defies traditional ways of doing things.

While Jobs had his black turtle neck and jeans, Zuckerberg has been getting a lot of attention lately regarding whether his non-traditional dress is appropriate (add to Jobs predilection for jeans, Zuckerberg's hooded sweatshirt, or "hoodie," and sneakers). His age has also been highlighted as an inhibitor to running a company that is being valued at $100 billion. Facebook's IPO is expected to price after the markets close on Thursday.

However, proponents say they are impressed with young Zuckerberg's strong sense of self-awareness, knowing his strengths and weaknesses as the head of a company.

Here are a few lessons that small and large business leaders can take from Mark Zuckerberg's example:

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1. An unwavering dedication to the company's vision.