What does it take to be a CEO?
Sustainable Business Series
By Adrienne B. Haynes, Esq.
Lead Consultant, SEED Collective
Running a business or nonprofit is not for the faint of heart. At SEED Collective, we have provided in-depth business coaching services since 2013 for early and second stage businesses. We work with owners and leadership teams to help streamline business models through systems and refined operational processes. We’ve had clients that love the entrepreneurial journey, and others who find out quickly that it may not be for them.
If you’re looking for a list of critical skills and characteristics of a business leader, look no further! This checklist considers essential qualities and the eleven skills of critical importance are followed by an asterisk. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Managerial Skills
· Developing others
· Directing others
· Group management
· Strategic thinking*
· Motivating others
· Organizing ability
· Ability to delegate*
Social and Communication Skills
· Verbal fluency
· Listening skills
· Presentation skills
· Negotiating skills*
· Cooperation
· Empathy
· Developing rapport
Influence Skills
· Interpersonal sensitivity
· Concern with personal impact
· Organizational awareness
· Direct persuasion
· Use of influence strategies*
· Relationship building*
Achievement skills
· Achievement drive*
· Initiative*
· Concern for order
· Efficiency orientation
Problem Solving Skills
· Use of concepts
· Analytical thinking*
· Pattern recognition
· Technical expertise
· Causal thinking
· Creativity*
· Information seeking
Personal trait skills
· Enthusiasm
· Decisiveness*
· Stress tolerance
· Self-motivation
· Calculated risk taking*
Do you think this list covers it? How did you fare? Let us know!
If you’d like to talk with a team member at SEED Collective, we start with a consultation to learn more about your program and consulting areas of need. If we’re able to help, we’ll outline a consulting plan and prepare a formal proposal.
To schedule a consultation to learn more, find a time that works best for you here.
