ON THE LEADING EDGE
If you want to be CEO, there are a few things you should
know beforehand
Becoming a CEO means you were probably already good
at whatever executive position you held previously within your company. But
leading the company as CEO requires a few different skills that you might not
yet know. Rich McBee, CEO of Mitel since 2011, shares six things he learned
about the role and what it takes to succeed in the top job. If you have always
had your eyes on the corner office, follow this guide:
Develop a thick skin
Get ready for judgement. In the role of CEO, you’re
no longer the giver; you’re now the receiver. Internal pressure and public
criticism come with the job — both sometimes appropriate and sometimes
unfounded. Either way, count on being second guessed consistently. You know if
you have the right strategy and whether you’re delivering on it. It’s all about
having a thick skin and staying focused.
You are in a league of your own,
yet you serve many masters
Making the move from senior executive to the CEO is a
more significant transition than many realise. For one, you’re in a league of
your own. As an executive, you’re a member of a team and you drive a piece of
the company strategy. As a CEO, that strategy — good or bad — is ultimately
yours. You own it. You lead the team. Employees look to you for the direction
they will execute.That said, don’t be fooled into thinking the CEO is his or
her own boss and operates with free rein.
As a member of the executive staff, you have one
boss. As a CEO, the board of directors is your boss, so you may have five,
seven, or more on the board to report to — and, there are also the
shareholders.
You are the roadshow
As an executive leader at a public company, you may
have participated in investor roadshows. As the CEO, you are the roadshow. They
want to hear from you and understand your strategy. Then, they’re going to
judge you on whether it makes sense and if they think you can execute it. Never
forget: Everything you say, every tone in your voice and your body language, is
being observed. Make sure you’re projecting what you mean — all the time, every
time.
Your values can determine your
value
In today’s world of instant communication and social
media, it’s easy to broadcast every single thought without an understanding of
who it is reaching. It can also blur lines between your opinion and what your company
stands for. If your stakeholders-customers, employees, investors, etc. get wind
of your views and don’t agree, they may factor these views into decisions they
make about you and your company. Your personal communications strategy should
be considered a key aspect of the company’s overall reputation management. This
doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a voice or an opinion on issues impacting your
industry and your company. You just need to carefully consider what you’re
saying and how it could be perceived by the various stakeholders, especially at
a time when people are constantly trying very hard to read between the lines.
Have fun
Being a first-time CEO is exciting; you’ve worked
hard, so enjoy it. You’re opening the door to new possibilities and providing a
fresh perspective. However, you must be prepared to face the added internal and
external pressures. Never ever fail to admit when you’re wrong. You can’t know
it all, but you can assemble a team that does.
businessinsider.in
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