Ever wondered what it takes to be your boss’ boss? What do legendary business leaders have in common? What do you need to reach the top and stay there for a long time?
Everyone wants a corner office with a great view, but not everyone has the same skills to get there. Becoming CEO is more than just “what you know” and “who you know,”
No one will teach you these skills, but they will expect you to have them. The qualities that make a great CEO are a compilation of many things top-level executives master on their own.
Alright, future executives – here are 15 skills you should master to be a successful and respected CEO.
1. Diplomacy
They don’t teach you this stuff in college, right? So what is diplomacy, exactly? Diplomacy is the “art of dealing with people sensitively and tactfully.”
As a CEO, this skill will serve you well throughout your career. By being diplomatic, your staff will be assured of your ability to diffuse situations with the utmost tact and fairness, and they won’t feel like you’re playing favorites or have a particular loyalty to certain staff members.
As former US Ambassador to the UN Richard Holbrooke said, “Diplomacy is like jazz: endless variations on a theme.” As CEO, your approach to diplomacy will also constantly change, so it’s a skill you’ll need to master.
Diplomacy is crucial for CEOs because it allows them to effectively manage relationships with stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, and government officials. Diplomacy involves communicating, building trust, negotiating, and managing conflicts to preserve relationships and advance the company’s interests.
One real-life example of the importance of diplomacy for CEOs is Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple Inc. Cook has been instrumental in building strong relationships with key stakeholders, such as the Chinese government. China is a crucial market for Apple, and Cook has worked diligently to navigate the country’s complex political and economic landscape. He has met with high-level Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, and has invested in initiatives to promote education and economic development in China.
Cook’s diplomacy has enabled Apple to maintain its position as a leading global technology company despite facing intense competition and regulatory challenges in China. By building trust and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, Cook has helped Apple navigate China’s complex political and economic landscape.
2. Vision and Follow Through
It’s all very well to have a vision, isn’t it? Real talk, though: how many incredible ideas have you had but not been able to follow through with them? Probably quite a few…
That’s the difference between CEO material and, well… non-CEO material. It’s the vision coupled with follow-through. And let’s not forget to add a dash of risk too, because following through on a vision always comes with riskiness.
A CEO with a strong vision can articulate a clear and compelling picture of where the company is headed and what it aims to achieve. This vision should be aligned with the company’s values and mission and communicated clearly and consistently to all stakeholders. A CEO who can inspire others to share in their vision can motivate and engage their team to work towards achieving it.
However, a clear vision alone is not enough. A CEO must also possess the follow-through skills to execute the vision effectively. This means creating a plan of action, establishing timelines and milestones, and allocating resources to ensure the vision becomes a reality.
A CEO with strong follow-through can hold themselves and their team accountable for meeting deadlines and delivering on commitments, which helps to build trust and confidence among stakeholders.
A CEO who combines a clear vision with strong follow-through can inspire their team to work towards a common goal and ensure the company successfully achieves it.
3. Passion for Their Job and Its People
While we’ve all worked for horrendous CEOs, working for a CEO passionate about their work, their company, and its people is an incredible experience – and that’s a skill that all successful CEOs should have.
Passion for the job and for the people you work with is essential for a CEO. When a CEO has a strong sense of purpose and truly cares about the company’s success and the well-being of its employees, it can have a profound impact on the entire organization.
First and foremost, a passionate CEO is more likely to inspire and motivate their team to do their best work. When employees see that their CEO is fully invested in the company and its mission, they are more likely to feel connected to their work and a sense of purpose in what they do.
Moreover, a CEO who cares deeply about their people is likelier to create a positive work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and creativity. They are likelier to listen to their employees’ concerns and ideas, provide professional growth and development opportunities, and recognize and reward outstanding performance.
4. Brevity
It’s a word that just flows off the tongue and means writing or speaking in a short, concise, clear manner.
Have you ever sat in a boardroom meeting where the CEO serves up some word salad? It’s almost as if they just love hearing themselves talk but don’t say… anything.
Forbes published an article titled, Half Of All Meetings Are A Waste Of Time. A skilled CEO would not call meetings that would waste employees’ time and leverage their brevity when communicating with staff.
Being concise and to the point can help a CEO convey their message more clearly and avoid misunderstandings. It can also save time and improve efficiency, especially in a fast-paced business environment where decisions must be made quickly.
Moreover, brevity can help a CEO build credibility and authority. When a CEO can communicate their ideas and vision clearly and succinctly, they are more likely to be perceived as confident, knowledgeable, and capable.
5. Decisiveness
Canadian motivational speaker Brian Tracey once said, “Decisiveness is a characteristic of high-performing men and women. Almost any decision is better than no decision at all.”
Nobody can become CEO if they can’t make decisions.
If you’re someone who – when asked – can’t decide where you’d like to go to dinner, what to watch on Netflix, or can’t make decisive plans with friends, then it’s something you can work on.
Being decisive means making tough decisions quickly and confidently, even amid uncertainty or ambiguity. It involves weighing the pros and cons of different options, gathering input and feedback from key stakeholders, and ultimately making a choice aligned with the company’s goals and values.
When a CEO is decisive, it can help to create a sense of clarity and direction within the organization. Employees are more likely to feel confident in their work when they see that their CEO is making thoughtful, well-informed decisions, and they are less likely to second-guess or question those decisions.
However, a CEO must also balance decisiveness with the need to gather input and feedback from others. While being decisive is important, it is equally important to ensure that decisions are based on accurate information, diverse perspectives, and a deep understanding of the company’s goals and values.
6. Accountability
When Dave Calhoun became CEO of Boeing in January 2020, he quickly blamed all the company’s problems on the former CEO, Dennis Muilenburg – who was fired by the board.
As rightattitudes.com suggests, “A true leader doesn’t pass the blame for failure but graciously accepts responsibility for the problems he inherited.
According to CEO World, A CEO not being accountable doesn’t just look bad, it leads to further breakdown, like:
- Giving away your power
- Creating a toxic environment
- Employee disengagement
- Reduced productivity
- You’re perceived as being an incapable leader.
As a leader, a CEO must be willing to hold themselves and their team accountable for meeting goals, delivering on commitments, and upholding the organization’s values and standards. This requires setting clear expectations and goals, providing feedback and support, and taking corrective action when necessary.
When a CEO prioritizes accountability, it can help create a culture of trust and transparency. Employees who know their efforts are valued and recognized are more likely to take ownership of their work and feel pride in their accomplishments.
Additionally, when leaders are accountable for their actions and decisions, it can help to foster a sense of fairness and equality within the organization, which can be particularly important for promoting diversity and inclusion.
7. Controlled Emotion
When the pawpaw hits the fan, or times are stressful, you can’t have a CEO dramatically shoving laptops and paperwork all over the floor, declaring it’s “F*ck this S*it O Clock…”
Nope, you need a level-headed, calm individual who isn’t going to explode and lose their cool.
Healthline.com has some solid, achievable advice: When it comes to emotions, it’s best to “… aim for regulation, not repression.”
When a CEO can control their emotions, it can help to create a sense of calm and stability within the organization. Employees are more likely to feel confident and secure when they see that their leader can maintain composure in the face of stress or adversity.
Additionally, when CEOs can manage their emotions effectively, they are more likely to communicate effectively, make sound decisions, and build positive relationships with others.
8. Transparency
Angel Gurría – former OECD secretary general, said, “Integrity, transparency, and the fight against corruption must be part of the culture. They have to be taught as fundamental values.”
It’s a skill that every successful CEO must master because transparency is what will earn you trust, respect, and loyalty.
When a CEO prioritizes transparency, it can help build trust and credibility within the organization. Employees are more likely to feel valued and respected when they can access information about the company’s decision-making processes, financial performance, and other key metrics.
Additionally, when stakeholders and the public can see how the company operates and its impact on the community, it can help build goodwill and a positive reputation.
9. Optimism
We’re not born pessimists or optimists – our friends and family play a significant role in our perceptions over the years.
If you’re looking to lead a company, here’s some good news… optimism is a skill that can be learned.
When a CEO is optimistic, they are more likely to see opportunities rather than obstacles and approach problems with a positive and solution-focused mindset. This can help inspire and motivate employees and build an organization’s culture of innovation and creativity.
Additionally, optimism can help build resilience in the face of challenges. When a CEO maintains a positive and optimistic outlook, it can help reassure employees and stakeholders that the organization can overcome obstacles and achieve its goals, even in the face of adversity.
10. Be the Calm in the Storm
Being CEO means you’re responsible for everything that happens within the company—which is helluh stressful. As mentioned in a video, How CEOs Make 351x More Money, “the CEO is the most important person driving a company’s success.”
While they keep everything together – including themselves -their staff will be pushed to hit milestones, make deadlines, or close sales… and it’s up to the CEO to be the reassuring, motivational calm in the storm.
11. Be a Role Model
You’ve probably had that CEO who shows up late, leaves early, has boozy lunches and takes advantage of their position of power.
That’s just not CEO material.
Be a role model to your employees.
We’re not saying you have to start work at 4 am like Apple’s Tim Cook or send emails at 11 pm like GM CEO Mary Barra, but you need to be dedicated and work hard to inspire and lead by example.
A CEO can inspire employees to do the same by working hard and leading by example. When employees see their leader working hard and committing to the organization’s goals and values, they are more likely to feel motivated and invested in its success.
Additionally, when a CEO is dedicated and hardworking, it can help to build credibility and trust within the organization. Employees and stakeholders are more likely to respect a leader willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work necessary to succeed.
12. The Willingness to Transform – Themselves and the Company
Richard Branson said, “Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation, revision, and change.”
This applies not only to the company’s growth but also to the CEO.
And while it’s impressive to get a business off the ground, keeping it competitive and profitable is no easy feat.
According to CEO Today Magazine, the importance of growing a business is… “that your company constantly faces the threat of competition. By staying small, you essentially offer opportunities for others to take the lion’s share of your markets.”
A CEO willing to transform themselves and their company can help ensure that the organization can adapt to changing market conditions, technological advancements, and evolving customer needs.
Furthermore, CEOs willing to transform themselves can inspire their employees to do the same. By demonstrating a commitment to personal growth and development, CEOs can foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the organization.
13. Approachability
Some may call it an “open door policy,” but that’s not quite what we’re talking about.
As admirable as it may sound, Forbes believes the open-door policy doesn’t work. It cites a few reasons, but the main concern is that staff don’t share their thoughts because they are worried their ideas will not be well-received.
Being approachable means you’re not ego-driven, looking down on your staff – instead, you’re there in the thick of things, being an active – not aloof – team member.
An approachable CEO is willing to listen actively and attentively to others and responds to feedback and concerns respectfully and empathetically. They are open to new ideas and perspectives and encourage employees to share their thoughts and opinions openly.
Approachability also involves being visible and accessible to employees. A CEO who is frequently present in the workplace and takes the time to interact with employees regularly can help create a sense of connection and engagement within the organization.
14. Inclusion
Regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age or political affiliation – inclusion in the workplace means everyone is included.
Every person matters. Everyone should come to work without the fear of being excluded, bullied or ostracized.
Every person adds value and it’s up to the CEO to ensure that inclusion is a priority.
Like Pat Wadors, the Chief Talent Officer at ServiceNow, said, “When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become wiser, more inclusive, and better as an organization.”
In addition to creating a more positive and supportive work environment, prioritizing inclusion can have tangible business benefits. Research has shown that organizations prioritizing diversity and inclusion are more innovative, have higher employee engagement and retention rates, and are likelier to outperform their competitors.
15. Ability to Take Calculated Risks
Ask any successful CEO if they got there by following all the rules, and the consensus is a big, fat “no.”
Let’s use Tim Cook again. He did a Q&A at Duke University where he was asked by a student, “When should we listen to our professors, and when is it ok not to?” Cook’s response:
“I think you should rarely follow the rules. I think you should write the rules. I think if you do follow things in a formulaic manner, you will wind up, at best, being the same as everybody else.”
A gold nugget right there.
The path to the top job in any company is long and tough. As you rise through the ranks, you will need every advantage you can get.
Cultivating the above qualities will give you the X-factor to stand out as the clear choice for the top job.
It may seem like a lot right now, but once you start, you will know what you must do to become the person you were meant to be.
Your journey starts right here, right now! See you at the top.