Forget the notion of a CEO being a Chief Executive Officer. Having held that title on three separate occasions, I can say with confidence that it does not accurately reflect a leader’s priorities or motivations.
If not Chief Executive Officer, what does CEO stand for in my mind? It is simple. The title reflects my three motivations when leading any organization.
C
C stands for Customers.Whether you are selling products or services, effective leaders need to focus on the people who buy from you. Understand everything you can about them. What do they want? What do they need for their organizations to be successful? What solutions can you offer to a problem they may not yet know they have? What opportunities exist to create value for them, more than what your competitors can? Deliver on theseconsistently, and you will have customers for life.
E
E represents Employees. To be successful, your employees need to understand and buy into your vision, strategy and how to execute. When employees are engaged, and strive to deliver their best every day, they become your most valuable asset. My proudest moments are when someone tells me that I helped them become a better leader and reach their full potential than they could ever thought they could achieve. That impact is tangible not just for a leader, but for the entire organization. This is possible at every level of an organization, but it is not attainable if you do not prioritize employee engagement.
O
O amounts to Owners. Shareholders want the business to be successful. Success happens when customers see value in the solutions you offer, and when employees embrace a mindset of continuous improvement. When you get the Customer and Employee pieces right, your business will increase in value and will attract more shareholders. Your owners will be happy. That goes for both private and public companies.
Each of these motivators and their priorities will evolve over time, as they should. An effective leader doesn’t just focus on role as an executive leader, but actively keeps their finger on the pulse of customers, employees and owners, continuously transforming in response to their needs and desires.
