COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
EXPLORING 21st CENTURY SKILLS and ISSUES
Check your answers: Are You CEO Material? 1. That may all sound a little cultish and creepy, but the point is, a great CEO fosters an atmosphere where all team members are dedicated to the mission and success of the company. This means that the corporation is more than a “business.” It's a place where employees and team members build relationships, feel they belong, and are valued for their contributions. Practice these skills in group projects, collaborative class work or community service. 2. CEOs must be excellent communicators in one-to-one and group situations. They must connect with their audience. CEO’s are responsible for creating and delivering the marching orders for the business. An organization succeeds best when employees at every level clearly understand where the business is going, what the business goals are, what their personal role is, and how the business goals will be achieved. 3. CEO’s are responsible for leading their corporations boldly into the future. They must be forward thinking in all aspects of business including financial, product or service innovation, and anticipating workforce and market changes. They must also inspire their employees to be future-oriented. Practice this skill now by joining a school club or community service project. Help anticipate and set an agenda for the next year, and recruit new members. 4. Business is very competitive, and successful CEO’s thrive on that competition. They unabashedly compete for the biggest and best deals. They compete for hiring and keeping the best employees. They compete to provide the best product. They are the captain of the corporate team, creating and implementing the winning strategy. Practice this skill now by competing to be a winning student. 5. For a CEO, difficult decisions are often made under pressure and with little time to fully contemplate the matter. Indecisiveness or poor decision making skills can effect the corporation’s direction or leave employees’ and team members’ projects in limbo while the CEO determines a course of action. That can effect a motivation and corporate profit. Develop the ability to make good decisions by formulating a core set of personal values, learning to identify bias in information, and developing your critical thinking skills. 6. Willingness to accept responsibility for the performance of the corporation is a CEO trait. Accountability includes operating in a transparent (not sneaky or slimy) manner, and accepting the blame if and when problems arise or a policy fails. A good CEO is diligent about holding team members accountable and for creating a culture of accountability in the business. Develop your accountability by readily accepting responsibility for your learning and all other aspects of your life. 7. Honesty is an important leadership trait. Honesty builds a bond of trust between a CEO and their executive team and employees. Dishonesty can affect a CEO’s credibility, the credibility of their team, and even a corporation’s products or services. Be honest in your dealings and relationships. Be academically honest. Honesty may sometimes be painful, but it’s a key leadership trait. 8. CEOs are role models. An excellent CEO is someone who employees and team members look up to, and who inspires enthusiasm for the business, its products, and goals. An excellent CEO inspires confidence in their PRODUCT PREVIEW
Lesson 12 | Business Blast 238
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