The three Leadership qualities that matter most (CEO or otherwise):
1.) Have a Point-of-View: It is essential to have a point-of-view. Right or wrong time will tell. For example, if a Board of Directors is looking to fill a CEO role, a CEO candidate ought to have a point-of-view in terms of a broad strategy as well as tactical execution. Where is the industry headed? How to leapfrog the competition? How best to provide value to customers? How best to creatively leverage technology? These are important elements to contemplate and have a position on.
2.) Communicate Effectively: Communicate a consistent message to your Board of Directors, to shareholders, to employees (your direct reports in particular – coach the coaches) and to customers. Effective communication means tailoring your message to your audience. Effective communication means actively repeating and refining your message until your audience absorbs its content. Effective communication also means active listening.
3.) Be Transparent: Effective leaders consistently portray the same image, the same persona to multiple cohorts – family, friends, colleagues, board members, customers and strangers.
Our recent CEORater Podcast episode on the subject:
