Corner Office Reads - #3 - A CEO Only Does Three Things

Corner Office Reads - #3 - A CEO Only Does Three Things

For this edition of Corner Office Reads, I'm diving into "A CEO Only Does Three Things" - a book that illustrates CEO effectiveness in the most refreshing way by stripping away the complexity we often build around leadership and offering something beautifully simple yet profound.

Working with CEOs, I've watched countless leaders get pulled in a thousand different directions. But Taylor argues that a CEO's job boils down to just three things: Culture, People, and Numbers. Everything else? A distraction.

It's a bold claim. Almost provocatively simple. But I've noticed how the most effective CEOs share this intuitive ability to focus on what truly moves the needle. They're not trying to do everything - they're doing the right things with intent.

Taylor makes a compelling case: to lead others, you must first understand people – how they tick, how they process information, and what motivates them. The CEO's role starts with this fundamental insight into human behavior.

Equally critical is setting the right culture – not as a 'soft' concern to delegate to HR, but as the operating system your company runs on. Candidates who truly understand this consistently outperform those focused purely on strategy or operations.

Sure, some argue that culture is too intangible to measure or that focusing on it distracts from "real business." Fair points. But after decades of watching leadership teams succeed or fail, I've seen how a strong, intentional culture becomes the north star during periods of change. It's not just about having values on the wall - it's about having values in action.

Finally, there's the numbers piece. But measuring the "right things" isn't just about tracking metrics - it's about creating ownership. When leaders share not just data but context and meaning, something magical happens. Entire organizations transform when people understand not just what's being measured, but why it matters to the bigger picture.

The book powerfully challenges the "CEO as an island" mentality. A deep-seated truth: No CEO should try to go it alone. The best leaders recognize that their role isn't to have all the answers, but to create an environment where insights can emerge from anywhere.

Overall a fun read with some nuggets of wisdom.

What do you think? How do you stay focused on what matters most?

Here's to growing together. Short. Simple. Real. Just like our best leadership conversations.

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