Leadership lessons

Written by: Renée LeMoine
Photo by: Vojtěch Vlk

“CEOs are normal men and women, not super humans able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. When we look at CEOs and other top executives from a social humanistic perspective it is easy to find their faults.

And it is human nature to blame others for problems, so top management is often the target. Yet keep in mind, that if you were in the CEO’s shoes you might do the very thing that you criticize him/her for doing. You lack information to paint the full picture he sees when making his/her final decisions.
Yet, it is useful to watch behaviors of CEOS and top executives to learn from their winning and losing reactions. No one is perfect, and every situation changes the outcome, so take the opportunity to learn from your boss’s mistakes. And in a few cases, there are bad seeds that deserve observation and reflection for how not to do what he or she did. The higher the corporate ladder you climb, the more people will analyze, judge, and criticize you. What’s good and what’s bad often depends on whose judging and at what time. Use this wisdom to your advantage.

• The media can make, enhance, or break a reputation. Therefore CEOs often avoid the press for fear of saying something that will get distorted. Instead, build strong relationships with the press, and take every opportunity to educate them about you, your team, and your company’s positive qualities. Be proactive and immediate about reacting to negative press coverage.
• Generate your own internal public relations strategy. Arrogant CEOs who believe themselves untouchable often face dissention when they need support to push through big decisions. Respect, trust, and support the executive team, thus giving them motivation for building across and down the company ranks.
• Avoiding investors and leaving them in the dark is a quick exit strategy for any CEO. If you want to stay around longer than your former CEO, seek out ways to build personal relationships with the company’s investors. Sports tournaments and gala events are fine opportunities for sharing casual conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.

Article prepared by Renée LeMoine, Executive Director, LeMoine & Associates