Do you have what it takes to become a CEO? The New York Times interviewed top executives to find the 5 qualities most common to them and what they look for in new leaders.
From his interviews with over 70 chief executives and leaders, New York Times columnist Adam Bryant identified the “X factors” for leading an organisation—qualities that can determine who gets promoted to that corner office.
All of the 5 essential trait can be developed, he writes, and “will lift the trajectory of your career and speed your progress”. Here they are in a nutshell:
- Passionate curiosity: Relentless questioning and being infectiously fascinated with everything around you, human nature in particular
- Battle-hardened confidence: Overcoming—and even relishing—adversity. CEOs most often ask job candidates how they’ve dealt with failure in the past.
- Team smarts: More than just being a team player, understanding how teams work and getting the most out of the team (in sports terms, being a playmaker)
- A simple mindset: Being concise, simple, and clear in your communications
- Fearlessness: Comfort with the unknown and taking calculated, informed risks; also, seeing opportunities and being proactive about positive change
Those are the basic qualities that top executives have learned and cultivated over decades of rising to success. For their full lessons and insights, hit up the article linked below. Do you see yourself as a leader with these traits? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Photo by Alex E. Proimos
Distilling the Wisdom of C.E.O.’s [The New York Times]
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