Do you spend some time thinking about how to prepare to reach top management or to get a chance at board meetings? Management levels and advocacy opportunities for the board of directors tend to be rare and are offered only to the most valuable and qualified professionals. But how do executive aspirants prepare a solidity that makes them look like the perfect candidates? If you have dreams of one day becoming a CEO of a huge corporation or company then there are a certain set of skills which you are going to need to have. Aside from the knowledge that you need in the particular industry where you will be working, core traits and characteristics that you will be required to be a CEO will have to be implemented if you wish to find success. There is no recipe to prepare executives who “fit for all.” Their preparation varies along with their skills and talent, their industry, geographical area, economic condition and market and a bit of luck (“the exact moment is everything”).
Top CEOs in the World like Haris Ahmed all differ in style and knowledge but they all possess a very similar skill set which has taken them to where they are in their respective positions of success. Let’s take a look at what it is that CEOs possess and what skills you will need if you hope to one day reach your dream of being one. Despite its technical, operational, financial or functional specialty, the most important skill needed to play well at the level of executive management is leadership. In all studies, research and data analysis, this skill consistently stayed above the others.
Team Approach
There is no CEO in the World who does not rely on a team of people behind them to achieve their success. Many CEOs can probably be measured by the abilities of the team which they have put together and if you want to be a CEO then you need to have a full understanding of what makes a great team and how you can play different roles within one, not just leading it.
Persistence
CEOs fail, business leaders fail but what makes the best rise to the top is their resilience and their ability to get back on track when things haven’t gone to plan. Giving up is not in the mind of a CEO, they won’t accept anything less than success and you will need to have thick skin and plenty of desire if you wish to make it to the top.
Forward Thinking
In order to be a successful CEO you need to be able to look beyond the present, look towards the next big thing, the next trend, fad or fashion and capitalize on it. CEOs are aware that they must continuously move forward in order to help their company and those who don’t have the ability to move with the times are the ones who inevitably get left behind. Whatever industry or business you are working in, you must display this type of forward thinking approach if you wish to climb the ladder of success, businesses are always searching for people who can take them forward and you must have the ability to look to the future if you are to succeed.
Ability to Listen
Many think that a high powered CEO is all about dictating what will happen, dishing out commands to their team and expecting results. Whilst this is true to an extent, the best CEOs are those who also have the ability t o listen to advice and concerns when they are brought up. Smart decision making is a key ingredient to a CEOs success but they cannot do it alone, the decision is ultimately theirs but the best CEOs listen to advice from those around them, from those who aren’t emotionally invested and from those who can view things from a different side.
