The E of the CEO

As per the definition by Investopedia, A chief executive officer (CEO) is the highest-ranking executive in a company whose primary responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of a company, acting as the main point of communication between the Board of Directors?and corporate operations. In many cases, the chief executive officer serves as the public face of the company.?

I have been doing the role of a CEO for the last 7 years and in my humble experience, at different points of time, there can be many more definitions of CEO; here’s presenting my top 5.

(1) Chief Entertainment Officer – He’s the One. Someone has to be the cheerleader for the entire team, not just in bad times but also in good. It’s getting increasingly important to keep the fun factor high especially as the average employee age has come down drastically. As most of my young colleagues say ”???? ??? ?????” – “mazaa aana chahiye” (I should enjoy my work)

(2) Chief Energy Officer – Positivity & energy needs to come from within but there is no harm in stoking the fire. High energy from the leader can be contagious as well as catalytic to drive forward the entire team. Monday morning team meetings & a few daily one to one calls to make a transfer of positive energy has worked for me in the past.

(3) Chief Empathy Officer – Every team member has problems in life both professional & personal and unless we visualise ourselves in the other person’s place, we will not understand reasons for sub-par behaviour at work. It’s easy to say this guy is not good enough but it is important to go deeper & understand what can make the same person work better. “Listening more” has helped me improve myself.

(4) Chief Education Officer – A culture of learning is a critical employee expectation which can motivate most, surprisingly more than rewards. This needs to be driven from the Top. I conduct trainings myself, whenever possible and also focus on my own learning & encouraging everyone else for the same.

(5) Chief Equilibrium Officer – It’s all grey; nothing much is black or white & right or wrong. In any social or work situation there are bound to be multiple views & possible conflicts. It’s important for the leader to shed personal biases & take a balanced view on every matter.

So next time you think of the CEO don't just the see glamour of the title. Please also think of the various hats he/she has to wear at different points of time. The Woman / Man behind the CEO Suit does not come with super powers but the same powers as all of us.