The CEO is the main point of contact between employees and directors. They are also an emblem of the company and many of today’s CEOs are household-names. These include Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors. A CEO's day can be long, challenging, and sometimes stressful.
Earning 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. A good education and experience are essential for becoming a CEO. You must also continue to improve your skills and expertise.
By gaining on-the-job experience and formal education, you can get started as a CEO. An MBA or related degree is a must for any CEO. A lot of top companies have CEOs with a background in business.
Getting relevant work experience
Getting relevant work experience to become a CEO is important in today's business world. Boards place more importance on those with extensive experience, as the world becomes interconnected. Although a solid background in finance and operations is an advantage, you can also benefit from consulting experience. Most of the most successful CEOs began their careers in a lower level position, and then moved up.
You must have the ability to lead an organization toward its goals as a business leader. This is a challenging position and requires a great deal of responsibility. You will report to all employees. Not only should you have previous experience in the field, but you also need to be able to see the company's potential and anticipate problems and opportunities.
Establishing a network
It is important to have a broad network of contacts as a candidate for CEO. You can do this by attending industry events, pursuing executive education, or enrolling in a networking program. While networking, make sure to go beyond the superficial interactions and connect with people on a deeper level. Your chances of being selected for a job are higher if you have a large network of contacts of high quality. Once you get the job, you will also be able to access a wide range of resources.
Networking is best done with those whom you respect and have respect for. CEOs often have many commitments and are busy. Try to avoid making a negative impression on them, and do not make it too difficult to follow up. A relationship with a CEO will take at least one interaction. If you are able to establish a connection, be sure to thank them and follow up.
Create a vision statement for your company
While CEOs often have a clear vision of the future, they don't always share it with their employees. Sometimes, the company’s lower-level leadership can provide the vision for the new product or company idea. Lesli Roberg, SVP Children's Media, was instrumental in the creation of PBS's new children's channel. This convinced Paula Kerger who was skeptical about the necessity of such a channel.
While it is impossible to predict what the future will bring, you can learn a lot just by looking at others' visions. The best way to learn about visions and see what others are doing is to look at the work of other companies. It is possible to look at other visions, speak with clients, and even partner. These are all ways to refine your vision and make it more real.