Different
times call for different leadership skills. If one wants to be a C-suite
executive, there are certain skills young aspirants need to hone in order to
move up the ladder.
The journey towards getting a senior executive
role often starts long before their first managerial experience. With lots of
people aiming for the top and only a few positions available, it's important to
understand what professionals need to keep in mind during their transitional
journey to reach a high-ranking executive title.
For starters, take responsibility for your
decisions, communicate well, don't be averse to taking risks, and create
healthy work environment that encourages understanding, opportunity and
enthusiasm.
Here are some other skills one needs to master
to climb up the ladder.
Getting the team right
At the beginning of their C-level tenures, executives rely on the inputs shared by their direct reports when determining solutions to the strategic problems. Having the right people on the team is extremely crucial for the C-level executives.
At the beginning of their C-level tenures, executives rely on the inputs shared by their direct reports when determining solutions to the strategic problems. Having the right people on the team is extremely crucial for the C-level executives.
Strong leadership
At
senior roles, it's vital to be able to lead others effectively. However, having
leadership skills is not just about giving orders or having power and control.
Leadership is about motivating teams to perform better, inspiring them to be
more innovative, and driving them forward to meet and exceed business goals.
The art of self-management
During transitions, executives struggle with self-management. They often spend less time-management. They often spend less time preparing themselves for their new role and focusing on their personal growth/development. Executives with most successful transitions are usually the ones who spend more time preparing themselves for their roles. This helps them to perform better than others at their job.
Goal-oriented
C-level
leaders should set clear goals that will give directions to the business and
the teams heading different departments. Part of being goal-orientated is also
taking accountability that key performance indicators of line managers or team
leaders are met. It is also important for them to step in if necessary they
need help in hitting those set targets.
Bold
To see real breakthroughs, corporate leaders need to have the confidence to take bold decisions.
Business expertise and flexibility
At the 'chief' level, professionals need to have a broader range of expertise. While it's important to oversee operations in different departments, senior leaders must also understand market share, customer trends and industry shifts. While working in a global economy, the aspiring leaders must understand the challenges associated with international negotiations and impact of economic trends. With businesses developing, industries changing and globalisation, top bosses should be able to adapt quickly to different situations.
Creating a shared vision on business priorities
Business-related activities play a critical role in a transition's overall outcome. It is extremely important for professionals to create a shared vision and alignment in sync with their organisation's business goals.
Source: Economic Times
