Successful executives have learned to tackle the biggest issue early in the day, and deal with lesser priorities as time permits. That approach also works well for the senior leadership team (SLT) in looking at the problems and opportunities facing the organization. However, it’s not always easy for the SLT to distinguish between immediate and the long-term needs. In the rush of daily activity, it’s easy for those longer-term priorities […]
As a CEO, you’re asked to play many roles in the organization from visionary strategist to crisis manager to financial taskmaster. But are you also serving as an executive coach? Providing guidance and support to your senior leadership team is vital to strengthening your company’s internal talent pool and improving its prospects for long-term success. Depending on your leadership style, you may already be doing some informal counseling or making […]
By long tradition, Labor Day is a yearly national tribute to the contributions that our country’s workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America. It marks the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of a new business year, as well as the start of school in some parts of the country. But most companies do almost nothing internally to celebrate the contributions of their workers—the key […]
If your company would like to operate more effectively, improve productivity, or realign the organization, consider adding a chief change officer (CCO) to the senior leadership team. Driving a major change initiative requires leadership from the top. So if the CEO needs to focus on other priorities, it’s important to designate an executive to lead and coordinate the effort. In some cases, the senior human resources executive can serve as […]
When companies plan to expand to international markets, one of the key considerations is the depth and strength of executive talent. Depending on the scope of the growth plan, additional managers may be needed to lead the new operations, and many organizations are creating new positions, such as Chief International Officer, to lead their teams. Careful evaluation of the leadership team’s skills, experiences and attitudes is crucial to making good […]
A stable senior leadership team is usually good for an organization. When everyone in the C-suite has worked together for a number of years, executives get to know each other’s thinking patterns, management styles and areas of expertise. When a major issue arises, the CEO generally knows whom to appoint to a committee or task force to find a solution. But there can be a downside to a longtime leadership […]
In the past decade, the power of innovation has been in the spotlight. Technology entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs built their careers (and their companies) by developing and launching innovative products at the right time in the market— at least most of the time. Today, start-ups emphasize their innovative solutions when searching for financial support or recruiting new executives. But not everyone is eager to join the innovation movement. In fact, […]
Successful executives have many skills and qualities that enable them to excel in their roles and create value for their companies. These might include strategic thinking, vision, creativity, leadership, communications skills, emotional intelligence and decision making—to name just a few. However, superior decision making is arguably the most important ingredient for success, especially in the C-suite. In fact, as a June 2010 Harvard Business Review article by Blenko, Mankins and […]
There is a great deal of power in the nature of your relationships with prospects and customers—even in the words you use when talking with them. Language can have a significant impact on your customers’ perception of you and thus, your relationship. For instance, referring to yourself as a vendor or supplier can put a damper on your customer relationship right from the start. It is much better to present […]
When LeBron James entered the National Basketball Association a decade ago, he had enough raw athletic talent to be considered the potential heir to Michael Jordan. He began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he carried his team to the 2007 conference final but faced criticism about his mental toughness and judgment, particularly after his 2010 nationally televised decision to leave Cleveland and join the Miami Heat. Since then, […]
