The CEO…
The Bossman (or woman)…
El Jefe…
The Big Cheese…
The Grand Poobah…
The Head Honcho…
The title isn’t important. The thinking, behaviors, actions and disciplines are.
There are plenty of resources available in the business world for helping you take your career or your company to the next level. What we want to do today is share 6 absolutely crucial strategies/philosophies that every leading business person must possess and do…consistently.
In case the reasons aren’t obvious, why would you even want to think like a CEO?
CEO’s are strategists. Done well, they should spend far more time working “ON” their business than “IN” their business. If you aren’t a CEO currently, then this may not be possible all the time. If you didn’t produce any work for your boss, you’re not likely to have a job much longer. However, anyone who leads a team, runs a department or oversees anything can benefit from high level thinking.
If you fail to look at and put effort towards how you can make things better, you are generally replaceable.
Let’s dig in.
6. CONFIDENCE
It almost goes without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway. People respond to people who are confident. No one wants to follow someone who is “wishy-washy” or too timid. Don’t confuse confidence with arrogance or cockiness. Those two traits can be repelling.
Confident people rarely need to sing their own praises… but everyone understands they’ve got it going on. Additionally, lots of people love to make themselves seem superior to others by making them feel small. A truly confident person doesn’t let anyone steal their power and would never intentionally make anyone feel “less than.”
5. BE REAL
Forget politicking and empty flattery. Just be authentic and real with people. If you want to think like a CEO, give people honesty. Be the person people can always trust to shoot them straight. If you are always real and honest with people, you’ll never get caught trying to cover your tracks.
4. BUILD PEOPLE
While systems may be the key to what makes the business successful, people are ultimately your most valuable resource. Treat them with respect. Invest time in helping people grow both personally and professionally. Create a culture around you that is undeniable.
3. LEAD
Take initiative. Jump out front. Become the “go to” person that others can count on to set direction and take charge. This doesn’t mean stomp on your co-workers on the way to the top of the mountain… but sometimes you need to put on your big boy britches and get after it.
2. BUILD SYSTEMS
You may not think you have this kind of influence if you aren’t the boss, but trust me, most businesses are being run with less than optimal systems in place. Chances are, if they aren’t in place, those in charge just don’t know how to create and implement them. Most great CEO’s will always be open to ideas that will make the company more efficient and more profitable. Successful businesses are built on successful systems.
1. HAVE VISION
You have to be able to see the forest and the trees. There must be a vision for the company that people can buy into and rally behind, or else every employee is just one small change away from leaving. There must be factors outside of the money that keep people showing up, even when the company hits a speed-bump. Each day won’t always be perfect. Customers will complain. Some ventures won’t work out. Without a vision bigger than the day to day… it’s easy to get caught in the weeds.
If you want to get to the next level, both personally and professionally, these philosophies and actions are essential. Step into your role: the leader you know you can be.