Three Abilities Companies Look for in C-Suite Talent

Leadership, Talent-Building, and Transformation are Essential to Securing Top Tech Roles

As you’re contemplating a move into the C-Suite, some basic capabilities are non-starters; in a recent conversation with T200 , Katherine (Katie) Graham Shannon , Partner at Heidrick & Struggles , shared three essential abilities companies are looking for in their executive searches.

#1 Ability: Leadership

This goes without saying – but the key here is to be a leader that other people want to follow. Are you modeling the behaviors of a leader who can inspire, motivate, and challenge others to think differently?

That’s going to require that you have a point of view that you can articulate through strong communication skills, to bring people along the vision and strategy path that you are laying out. You should also feel comfortable sharing not only a positive perspective but be willing to challenge the status quo if you don’t share the same viewpoint as everyone else.

?#2 Ability: Talent-Building

It’s great that you’ve sold so many widgets, saved so much money, improved a product or a process… but where are you on developing future leaders?

When you are placed in a top spot, what you can deliver is all about what your teams can deliver. What have you done to attract and retain talent through your career? Have any of your direct reports been able to grow and thrive under your guidance? What have you done to develop a pipeline of leaders in your previous roles? It’s not enough to shine brightly on your own; you need a constellation of leaders who can also shine without you.

#3 Ability: Transformation

Beyond leadership and talent-building, think of how you’ve addressed transformation across different areas. Perhaps you’ve been able to modernize and/or digitize processes. How have you empowered employees, associates, or customer-facing sales & marketing teams to be the best they can be?

Bonus points if you can demonstrate how you’ve managed this transformation while ensuring it’s all wrapped in a secure, protected environment. After all, digital transformation is driven by data, and data protection is required for consumer confidence and the preservation of intellectual property.?

What other abilities do you think are key to landing a C-Suite role?

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