For better or worse, not all good business leaders make great CEOs. In fact, someone who performs very well in a mid-level management position may struggle in a company's top seat. When launching a global executive search, it can be challenging to know which previously-untested candidates will flourish and which will flounder. So how do you recognize whether someone is "CEO material?"
- Apolitical: Many managers find themselves caught up in day-to-day politics, resolving conflicts and negotiating truces. This isn't always a bad thing, as it is sometimes best to diffuse a tense situation before it has the chance to explode. However, an executive can't be overly concerned with immediate political machinations, as it will distract from the big picture. A CEO has to steer the ship toward the horizon, which means little time for refereeing bickering on the lower decks.
- Fearless: Many good managers are unfamiliar with failing, having achieved professional success by always meeting expectations and coloring inside the proverbial lines. Great CEOs, on the other hand, are comfortable taking significant risks and don't let fear of failure hold them back. Look for candidates who have shown chutzpah, resilience and boldness in their professional lives.
- Forward-thinking: Unlike a typical manager, a successful executive has an uncanny ability to anticipate the future. Much like a brilliant chess player, he or she is always looking at least several moves ahead, letting long-term strategy inform on-the-ground decisions.
Recognizing talented future CEOs is not easy, which is why it's best to work with experienced executive search consultants who can help you identify the candidates who can take your company from good to great.
Finding people is easy, but finding the RIGHT people is not. YES Partners helps companies FIND the right people – for all company functions, across many industries and globally.
