What makes an outstanding CEO?

CEO search program

An innovative product or a sustainable strategy does not make a successful company. Success depends on the CEO. But what does an outstanding CEO have to be like?

Outstanding CEOs motivate their employees and constantly have innovative ideas. Furthermore, according to an international study, an excellent CEO has the following qualities:

  • Willingness to drive things forward
  • Courage and willingness to take calculable risks
  • Powerful self-propulsion
  • Open to change
  • High communication skills
  • Willingness to rethink and break new ground

These characteristics are very pronounced in the case of outstanding CEOs. Decision-makers are more courageous, curious, communicative and forward-thinking.

The Study also defined three key competencies:

  • Strategic action
  • Perspective of the outsider
  • Organizational redesign

Act strategically

95 percent of the CEOs surveyed are more courageous and make strategic decisions in their new job within the first two years. Through stringent decisions, the CEOs were able to save costs and set new impulses, among other things.

Perspective of the outsider

External managers who have assumed the position of CEO act more strategically than CEOs who have been promoted internally. This is because external CEOs look at the company more objectively.

Organizational redesign

One of the most important skills of exceptional CEOs is to redesign processes. However, many of the successful CEOs surveyed did not undertake massive restructuring in the first two years. This is due to the fact that it would not be conducive for economically flourishing companies to initiate restructuring in the short term. Although it is a longer road to becoming a top CEO, all skills can be learned and honed. Here you will find even more knowledge for decision-makers.

Published by Dave John

Decade of work experience in leadership consulting with strong focus on talent acquisition & assessment across different industries and geographies.

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