Staying Close to your Team: Qualities a CEO really needs!

What does the CEO of tomorrow look like? We still tend to think of him as the big boss, leaning back in his executive chair. The man who went to the best university and graduated top of his class. And yet examples like Richard Branson (Virgin) or Bill Gates (Microsoft) prove that a university degree is not necessary to run the most successful companies in the world. So, what does a good CEO need? These soft skills bring future applicants to the top floor!

The Vision – Motivation and Guidance

The CEO of tomorrow must have a clear notion of his company’s vision. Where should the journey lead? What are the basic values? Most importantly: Who am I as a CEO? A clear vision must manifest itself in all values and actions of a company. For the stronger the vision, the easier it is for the manager to motivate his employees to work towards a common goal.

Transparency is everything: In order to gain the trust of the team, a CEO needs to clearly define and communicate the goals of the company. Sometimes leaders have to make unpopular decisions in favor of the company’s interests. With clearly defined goals, this becomes transparent for every member of the corporation. The CEO is the captain of the ship and should always believe in the vision as well as his employees.

The CEO as a Storyteller

Good stories surprise us, mesmerize us and evoke deep emotions. It is interesting stories that captivate us and let us recapitulate ideas and concepts. Simple reports would never be able to do that. A captivating narrative can also be a handy stylistic device to sell one’s own idea. 

If you want to sell your idea as a CEO, you need to be able to tell your story. Rhetorical tools can help to increase the motivation of employees or to present your own brand. The company with the best story outpaces the other. Many of the globally most successful companies use storytelling as a recipe for success. One popular example is Apple founder Steve Jobs. He understood the essence of good storytelling like no other. In his speeches he communicated important values, visions or life lessons, which he smartly connected to the Apple.

Empathy and Communication as the Key to Business Management

Globalization and digitalization have been changing the business world for a long time now. International teams are no exception anymore and even the client base becomes more and more multicultural. Therefore, it is essential that CEOs stay close to the team and know what needs their employees have. Empathy, communication and giving the employees a voice are probably the most important factors to succeed in this mission.

The societal development and the constantly changing requirements for businesses are also influencing the leadership styles. No more top-down thinking! The flatter the hierarchies, the more freedom and self-determination employees have. Leaders who allow mistakes and grant their team a formal say in decisions, can count on the team’s support.

Conclusion

There is no ultimate success formula for leadership! BUT: With globalization, employees' expectations towards the company in which they spend a large portion of their lives are also increasing. An adequate payment alone is no longer enough. The working environment is becoming increasingly important to employees. The CEO of tomorrow has to be able to really cater to his employees’ needs. The key phrase is: work life balance! Another important step is investing in further training measures to be able to make it attractive for new talents to stay in the company. The old days of a CEO as a lone wolf at the top of the company are over. The new management style surrounds future CEOs with people in whom they can invest and trust.