Five Traits Every CEO Must Have
As the world and business rapidly change, the skills that once defined success and effective leadership are becoming obsolete. While our workforces are more diverse and innovative more than ever, top leaders are able to put learning and creativity at the forefront. To meet the dynamic business demands now and well into the future, leaders will need to hone five specific skills to help them lead and propel their businesses into sustained growth.
- A serving attitude
The mantra “the customer is always right” is one that has been used for decades. However, I argue that the focus should first be on your employees. They need to feel valued, heard, and a part of a larger community. When your employees are satisfied and fulfilled in their work, then this will shine through in the level of customer service they will provide. Great leaders know how to inspire and nurture their employees to be great and live up to their full potential. In fact, researchers have found that when people are happy, their creativity level increases by 300%, productivity gets a 31% boost, which can translate into 37% higher sales.
- A humble nature
It is important for leaders to be both accessible and receptive to learn from others. Having an open door policy that enables employees to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns with you is important in showing your company that you are vested in fostering a collaborative company approach.
- A focus on self-improvement
As the CEO and the leader of your organization, it is imperative that you “talk the talk and walk the walk” at all times. You want your teams to see you as the example of how leaders should be and what the company represents. To do this, you must be open to critiquing yourself and finding ways to improve as a leader. If what you are doing is not in line with what you would want your employees to do, then you must rectify this. The key is to lead by example and to set an excellent example in all that you do.
- A clear vision
In business, clarity is very important. When your employees are clear on what is expected, they are able to perform at the level needed to progress the company forward. When your teams are clear on the vision of the company, then they are able to work toward fulfilling it. If you have not clearly communicated your vision with your team, now is the time to put it front and center and bring it to life.
- A sense of curiosity
When you are curious, you are drawn to wanting to learn more. It is this “growth mindset” that can enable leaders to invest in themselves and in the development of their teams. Making learning and innovation an integral part of how you run your company is key in ensuring that your company is positioned to both identify new trends and leverage your knowledge to create competitive advantages.
As the world continues to evolve, the role of the CEO will have to shift accordingly. The skills that will be needed may inevitably change to fit new business demands. Finding proven ways to hone your leadership skills is important to help you take your organization to the next level.
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