As the face of a company, the CEO is the primary point of contact between the company's employees and directors. Many of today's CEOs are well-known because they are a symbol of the company. They include Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Mary Barra is the CEO of General Motors. The workday of a CEO can be very long, varied and often stressful.
Getting a bachelor's degree
Although there are some individuals who can become CEOs via entrepreneurship or setting up their own business, the vast majority of CEOs begin in lower-ranking positions and progress up the corporate ladder. To become a CEO you must have the right educational background and work experience. You also need to build relationships with key individuals. Also, you need to constantly develop your skills and expertise.
Start your journey as a chief executive officer by getting experience in on-thejob training and formal education. A bachelor's or equivalent degree in business is required for all CEOs. Many successful companies have their CEOs with business backgrounds.
Getting relevant work experience
A CEO requires relevant work experience. This is a crucial skill in today's world of business. Boards place more importance on those with extensive experience, as the world becomes interconnected. You will need to have solid operations and finance experience, but consulting experience will make you more successful. Most of the most successful CEOs began their careers in a lower level position, and then moved up.
A business leader must be able to guide an organization towards its goals. It's a demanding position that requires a lot of responsibility, and you'll report to every employee of the organization. In addition to having experience in your field, you should have a clear vision of the company's potential and be able to anticipate challenges and opportunities.
Building a network
It is important to have a broad network of contacts as a candidate for CEO. This can be done by attending industry events or pursuing executive education. Don't be afraid to connect with people deeper than the superficial. A strong network of high-quality contacts will increase your chances for getting on a shortlist. They will also provide you with access and resources to help you once you are hired.
Networking is best done with those whom you respect and have respect for. CEOs have many obligations and can be very busy. You should not make a bad impression by making it difficult for them to follow up. To build a relationship with a CEO it may take more than one meeting. So thank them for your time and make sure you follow up with them once you establish a connection.
Developing a vision for your company
Most CEOs begin with a vision. However, visions are not always created by the CEO. Sometimes the vision for a company or product can be derived from lower-level executives. Lesli Rotenberg, the SVP for Children's Media at PBS, convinced Paula Kerger, a skeptical CEO, that a new channel was needed.
Although it is impossible to predict the future, you can still learn a lot from watching others and taking inspiration from their visions. It's a great way to gain insight into visions. You can look at what other companies do and whom they are talking to. You can also look at visions of other businesses, talk with clients, or partners. These are all ways to refine your vision and make it more real.