Over the years, I’ve observed something about my own leadership journey and that of others I’ve worked with or read about, which I don’t think has been adequately addressed in most leadership books and seminars. We are either appointed CEOs of companies or we have taken the bold decision to become CEOs of our own business based on our expertise, experience and an innate passion to impact our world differently.
The title “CEO”, the prestige surrounding it and the respect we gain from others because of it are always thrilling personal experiences and major turning points in our lives.
However, what is often overlooked, is that this exalted position is also accompanied by an intense overt pressure from all angles to maintain peak performance at all times.
The truth is, the process of starting or growing a business as an entrepreneur is tough and rough and if we are true to ourselves, it has a way of revealing in us deep vulnerabilities, fears, knowledge gaps and insecurities we never knew existed and can’t share with anyone.
Why do we keep these inadequacies to ourselves? We do so probably because the position of CEO often comes with a façade of always appearing “confident and in-charge” and everyone expects us to solve all problems and be on top of our game at all times. However, what most people don’t know is that there are numerous occasions during our career when we’re scared to death about that next mighty hurdle confronting us since we don’t have a clue about what to do!
Some of our deepest needs as CEOs are not usually addressed adequately in the leadership conferences we attend, as great as these are to our career development. Needs such as critical direction amidst complex scenarios, uncanny understanding required to take major decisions and vital wisdom to carry out our everyday assignments to lead, direct, mentor, communicate, influence and achieve results.
These needs are the simple insights, personal behaviors and attitudes, complex people dynamics, instincts, tried and tested principles and wisdom that don’t often come naturally to us through our unique temperaments, inclinations or experiences, but which could bring us great relief in the performance of our roles as CEOs if only we knew. I choose to call these the CEO nuggets we need.
Consequently, I have decided to birth a series of “CEO Nuggets” from insights and wisdom I have gained from my own personal experiences in leadership and as a business owner as well as from colleagues, authors and mentors. Some of these Nuggets I shall share have come out of wisdom gleaned or lessons I have learnt from my mistakes, burdens, oversights, negligence and failures. Others have come out of major mindset transformations I have had, which have culminated into chains of effective behaviors, attitudes, actions and great personal achievements.
Whether you’re an aspiring CEO business owner or you have just been promoted to the position of CEO employee or you’re a CEO taking your business to the next level of growth, these “nuggets” are for you. Also, if you are in any leadership position in life, these “nuggets” should be your closest companion. Much as my focus is largely on entrepreneurs and business leaders in this series, these “nuggets” apply to all spheres of leadership including family, community, religion and governance, among many others.
It is my deepest desire that each of us take our CEO positions not just as jobs to put money in our pockets or titles to inflate our vain egos, but privileged experiences that can enhance our personal growth, give us profound fulfilment, influence those who work with us and provide us with rare opportunities of making a difference in our world.
Be hooked to this series every week for your insightful dose of CEO Nuggets, contribute your valuable insights and comments too and tell others to follow !
