CEO Characteristics

How does the average CEO treats his subordinates?

I think there are several key ingredients to being a great CEO.

1. Self-assuredness. A great CEO is a mature, well-rounded individual who knows his or her own value and is comfortable in his or her own skin. This allows the CEO to treat subordinates with respect and dignity, since the CEO has no selfish need to demonstrate superiority. He or she will actively seek feedback and will value a point of view that is contrary.

2. Farsightedness. A great CEO can look beyond the here and now and see far into the future. He or she can predict with great certainty what is coming down the pike and how best to move forward.

3. Enthusiasm. A great CEO loves what he or she does and communicates this enthusiasm constantly. He or she sticks to things and doesn't run at the first sign of adversity. He or she loves a challenge and will be the first one in line to scale the mountain. The great CEO takes care of himself or herself physically and emotionally, and is then available to back up his or her staff.

4. Conviction. A great CEO must have the courage of his or her convictions. He or she has a personal and professional set of values that he or she never compromises -- no matter what.

5. Responsibility. A great CEO doesn't pass the buck or duck the hard choices. He or she takes full responsibility for whatever happens, and holds his or her staff to the same high standard.

Poor & Weak CEO's are unwilling to do the hard work, take responsibility, or make decisions. They delegate the difficult or unpleasant tasks and make sure that they always have a scapegoat around to fix the blame on. They are concerned about themselves to the exclusion of everyone else. They treat their staffs like slaves or like non-entities and they have no personal loyalty. They are also seldom dealing directly with their entry level employees. They usually are not to go the field to understand their concerns.