Chief executive officers must be leaders above anything else. Leadership goes beyond a sharp business mind that can exploit a situation for the financial improvement of their organization. True leaders are individuals who inspire, motivate and make others feel better about themselves and their role within the company. Leaders are the sort of people others follow not because they have to, due to rank and office, but because they want to. Leaders have the ability for making people feel as if they aren’t actually following; they are simply doing what is in their own interest. To achieve such status and success as a leader is partially intangibles; not every individual is cut out to lead. However, CEOs can examine five key aspects of their professional habits and determine for themselves how to up their pedigrees as true leaders of men and women.
How to Maintain CEO Success and Status
Placing action before showing off There are CEOs who demand the limelight. They take every opportunity, big or small, to show to others their worth and abilities. This may mean staging public relations event or simply taking exaggerated steps to gain the notice of the group of people surrounding them. Then there are others who see that some action or step must be taken, and quietly go about their business to accomplish the task with little fanfare. These individuals seek to get the job done. The latter type of individual is the sort of person who does not demand respect; they acquire it through their true abilities and dedication to the cause. Knowing how to maximize their workforce A true leader understands that every individual employee has their own strengths and weaknesses. Shrewd leadership therefore tends itself to know that employees should be allowed to play predominantly to their own strengths. By doing so, the individual does not really feel as if he or she is even working. They are happy, fulfilled and at ease to be exactly who they are; under these circumstances, they are also vastly more productive, creative, and efficient.
Breeds a culture of accountability Executives and managers demand accountability from their staffs. They know everyone must fully take responsibility of their own tasks to ensure the well-being of the collective whole. It is one thing to communicate through speeches or memos. It is another to demonstrate it in one’s actions and personal encounters. If you, as a CEO, fail to do something- whether it is forgetting your glasses or a document prior to a meeting-do you send an underling to remedy the mistake, or do you handle it yourself? While such a tiny act can seem insignificant, it is the little things that spark greater movements. Be the guiding light towards better corporate cultures and success.
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Take the blame when circumstances go awry There will no doubted be hiccups along the way for any business. A computer issue may occur, which causes customers to lose service and work stoppages. A leader, who has no operational role in this affair, will own up to this blunder. He or she will apologize and vow to do everything possible to not have this happen again. When something goes amiss, great leaders don’t use the royal “we.” They take full responsibility. Uniquely, taking responsibility publicly, they create a stronger team building atmosphere within their organization, and reinforce the idea of the collective whole. Know where to draw the lines Leaders typically need to define new barriers are their companies seek out opportunities. They are doing radical things, and they are showing a new degree of openness and risk-taking in business practices. Knowing when to draw the line, however, is the difference between success and failure. Leaders need to propagate a strong sense of boundary setting, whether it is based on ethical or fiscal matter.
Make sure you’re ready to to take your career to CEO level and succeed. Sign up to the CI Executive Career Management programme and get access to a Career Coach to guide and coach you through your journey to board level. Also don’t forget to keep a lookout for the top roles that become available in emerging markets.

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5 Comments
Ut Oilman
January 28, 2014 at 2:10 pmJamil Melhem
January 28, 2014 at 8:13 pmAspiring CEO
January 29, 2014 at 9:59 amDr.Ihab Elmaghrabi
February 1, 2014 at 3:28 pmDaniel De Munter
February 1, 2014 at 5:45 pm