Five characteristics of a successful executive

1. Skilled time managers make for effective CEOs

According to Becky Sharpe, efficient time management is crucial for executives. As the CEO of International Scholarship and Tuition Services, she uses accountability charts to make sure that everyone in the company is aware of the tasks that need to be completed and the meetings that need to be attended.

Their attention is kept where it should be by the charts. That entails spending time on novel concepts, interpersonal interactions, culture, research, and development, as well as highlighting the significance of emotional intelligence, according to Sharpe.

Leaders who let themselves get overscheduled and therefore overworked and stressed out are creating a negative example for their staff.

According to Sharpe, “The team will view as appropriate whatever the leader does.” You will receive the same in return if your delivery is delayed. Your culture will lack trust as a result of broken promises, which erodes trust and makes people afraid to tell the truth and share ideas.

Guzman explains to the CEOs he teaches that, similar to an emergency department at a hospital, time management truly comes down to managing priorities.

“You have to constantly navigate that terrain in the emergency room (ER) and learn how to set priorities based on what’s most important,” he explains. Executives must possess a certain skill set in order to be great leaders. This skill set includes the ability to effectively manage priorities and focus on what matters most.

2. Skillful executives enhance their areas of strength

To determine a person’s strengths and skill sets, an abundance of evaluation techniques is available. Even while those work, Sharpe thinks it’s still critical to have conversations with coworkers to find out what they think she does well and where she needs to grow.

Sharpe may prevent significant discrepancies in her perception of her own strengths and those of others by putting this into practice.

She examines these viewpoints every three months in order to keep refining and advancing her competencies.

Sharpe states, “What gets watered grows, just like a seed.” “I write about and exercise my abilities in order to better develop and build upon them. I also tell those who may hold me responsible and motivate me to work on strengthening my weaknesses.

3. Reputable executives accept accountability for their actions

Decisions taken by the company should be in line with previously decided upon objectives or projects.

Effective leaders show that there is no “I” in “team” when a choice works out by praising the individuals and groups who were part in the decision-making process.

Guzman asserts that the most successful leaders walk with their followers rather than in front of them.

Effective leaders own up to their mistakes while making decisions and take responsibility for their part.

According to Sharpe, “if coworkers were involved in a poor decision, those conversations happen privately.” “The most successful leaders never use blame or public humiliation to shield themselves when a mistake is made.”

4. Successful business leaders concentrate on opportunities

Executives that are successful look forward and concentrate on the short- and long-term goals of their company.

According to Sharpe, having humility and being at ease with not knowing everything are prerequisites for having a forward-thinking mindset. While anticipating chances ahead of time is crucial, it’s as critical to pay attention to what other people have to say.

“To be forward-thinking is to embrace the role of a beginner with enthusiasm, allowing new concepts, markets, and technological advancements to excite rather than intimidate,” she continues.

According to Sharpe, it’s critical to accept and exchange anecdotes and solutions to opportunities from the past in order to maintain emphasis on the future.

According to her, “showing that you can look forward to the rest of the company requires an open communication style about what you see coming in the future, as well as a desire and/or willingness to listen to the young people and share the stories of ‘before,’ that shows you’ve always embraced growing and improving all aspects of an organization.”

Guzman clarified that while planning ahead is crucial, it’s as necessary to concentrate on the daily operations of the company. He thinks that certain executives are capable of doing both. However, the majority require a fellow executive who can focus on day-to-day tasks.

“In an organization, balance is absolutely necessary,” explains Guzman. “Everyone starts to become critical of a forward-thinking CEO or leader who lacks that partnership because that individual is perceived as airy and unrooted.”

5. Successful CEOs prioritize their company.

Proficient leaders exhibit their support for their staff members’ development and well-being not just verbally but also through their deeds.

Guzman claims to have witnessed far too many instances of leaders claiming to be interested in, dedicated to, and making a difference with culture, yet their deeds are woefully inadequate. “Until they see how much you care, people don’t care how much you know.”

According to Sharpe, being a clear communicator and actively listening are hallmarks of demonstrating concern. Effective executives justify the significance of a good concept and explain where it fits into the overall corporate priority list if it cannot be put into practice.

According to Sharpe, “effective executives also genuinely care about the well-being of their staff members and provide them with the time and space to discuss their motivations.” “Successful CEOs don’t steal the limelight; they give it to others.”

While each person must approach leadership in their own special way, Sharpe and Guzman emphasized that by combining these five characteristics, a person’s approach to leadership will flourish, as will the people and organizations they manage.