Seven Things That All Great CEOs Do

Over the years, I have interacted with the CEOs of many startups — Some who were excellent and others, not so much. I have learned that there are 7 things that really good CEOs do:

1. Be likable

All good CEOs that I have met over the years are all very likable. They are the kind of people you want to be friends with. It might sound strange, but I’ve learned that one of the most important qualities of a good CEO is their ability to make a great impression on people, whether they’re clients, investors, partners, etc.

2. Sell, Sell, Sell

CEOs have a lot on their plate. In mature companies, they typically delegate sales duties to a VP Sales or a CRO, along with a complete sales team to promote and sell the company’s products. Still, a competent CEO will never stop selling. In fact,a good CEO consistently ranks among the company’s top sales representatives. A CEO continuously sells the company’s vision to clients, investors, partners, existing and prospective employees, and of course, the general public.

3. Listen (not just talk)

CEOs need to listen. They need to listen to their employees, listen to their clients and their partners, among others. Seems simple enough, right? Not so much! No matter how smart we are, the ability to embrace different perspectives, and acknowledge that wisdom can come from others is super important.

4. Work hard. Lead by example

When I was a young, I watched my father wake up at dawn and leave to start a hard day of work. Even in today’s era of advanced technology, nothing can replace the value of hard work. All good CEOs I know epitomize this ethos – they lead by example. Startup teams are ready to work hard too, yet without a leader who sets the pace, this dedication may falter. (Note: make sure not to overdo it).??

5. Communicate challenges, not just achievements

It’s fun and easy to discuss achievements, but communicating challenges and failures is much more difficult and important. Everyone around a CEO (including management, employees and yes, even investors) understands that challenges and failures are a natural part of running a company, even for the best ones. There is everything to gain by openly discussing them. Keeping silent about these issues does a disservice to the CEO, as employees may think that the CEO either does not grasp the problems or does not trust them enough to share, which isn’t beneficial. The best CEOs I know start every board meeting discussing “things we didn’t achieve in? the last quarter.” That might be atypical, but in my view, it’s the best way to start a productive board meeting.

6. Ask for help

When we think about leaders, we tend to think of the old western cowboy who was silent and confident, never expressing weakness and certainly never asking for help. In practice, it’s quite the opposite. Great CEOs are very good at relying on others and asking for help and receiving assistance. Smart CEOs always use people around them who are willing to help, if asked the right way.

7. Humans first

The typical image of a successful business person is a cold-hearted individual, lacking emotional intelligence and moral standards. However, this stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth, particularly among startups! In my experience, all good CEOs I know are not only highly driven to ensure the success of their companies but also deeply empathetic individuals who prioritize the well-being of others.?

That’s my list. Do you think I have missed anything? Did I get something wrong? Please let me know!

This content was previously published in June 2018 and appears? with minor edits and updates.