My CEO Life

This is a common question i am asked – here is the exact question “What job should I get to get start so i can try to move. Does it matter what school u get your MBA in.”

Firstly, the simplest way to be a CEO is to start your own business.  Take one of your ideas, register a company and away you go.  Of course there is lots of risk but the returns are greatest too!

If you don’t want to start your company then you are opening yourself up to the world of competition for the role of CEO.

Now most Boards will look for a CEO who has a number of characteristics …

1. Vision – where are we going and why it makes sense
2. Strategy – how we are going to get there
3. Leadership – the ability to make the impossible look possible and to convice others
4. Operational understanding – the ability to understand how to really make it all work
5. People selection skills – the ability to build a great team
6. Finance skills – the ability to make sure you are going to make $$$$$
7. Passion – the ability to go the extra mile when everyone else is against you

So how do you get these skills – well some are natural and some can be learned.  Most CEO’s will come from a sales / operational background.

From my view, lawyers, accountants and consultants make the worst CEO’s … they just are not in touch with the “factory floor”.

The bottom line — find an industry you love, get an operational job (sales / marketing / ops) and work like mad.  Business school helps but nothing is a quick replacement for experience.

Finally – you have to ask yourself – why does being a CEO matter?  For me it is not the title – it is the ability to build something special!!!

1. Nature vs Nurture – Are CEO’s Made or Born?

   I received the question below and it got me thinking about how you can become a CEO. Right now I am studying Business Administration at a University.  My ultimate goal to become a CEO of a large corporation.  I know...

2. How Do You Become a CEO?

   Here is another question i received via email “Hello.  I am in the process of finishing college.  What is the first step in becoming a Chief Executive Officer and do you actually start the position as a CEO?  Hopefully you...

3. Charitable Donations – Are they Worth It and How to Get Them?

   Here is another question that came through recently My question for you is kind of simple but not a question that many people would ask or even care about. However, I am an assistant coach of a baseball team at...

4. A Bit About Me

   Here is another question – i must be on a roll What specific turning points (sudden or gradual) moved you significantly forward along your path moving up the corporate ladder towards becoming a CEO? Secondly, what was the first thing you did...

5. What Makes a Good CEO?

   Now this is a tricky question as it depends on the business the CEO is running. The CEO of a not for profit will have some different skills versus a CEO of a large corporate versus a CEO of a...