Aiming for the top? CEOs offer advice

Takeways from article published in The News & Observer.

By Grace W. Ueng, CEO of Savvy Growth

Become an Effective CEO

  1. Hone the life skill of learning how to learn. Plug away with on-the-job training. Seek life-long learning.
  2. Find mentors from those who want to see you grow and find opportunities to watch CEOs in action.
  3. No one is prepared to be a CEO. Remember you have to be a CEO to be prepared to be a CEO.

Traits of an effective CEO

  1. Focus on the long term while balancing short-term priorities.
  2. Know where the big rocks are – think big about your opportunity.
  3. While execution is key, don’t get lost in the tactics.
  4. Set the culture and espouse the vision for company.
  5. Know your blind spots and hire to compensate.
  6. Set direction and then empower others to run with it.
  7. Harness creativity from staff by motivating enthusiasm and hire those who add to the team.
  8. Retain genuine enthusiasm for customers and a strong customer focus.
  9. Embrace failure and focus on learning new things.
  10. Communicate clearly and concisely to external constituencies.

Motivational speaker, executive coach, and consultant, Grace Ueng is CEO of Savvy Growth www.savvygrowth.com. She can be reached at grace@savvygrowth.com.

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