What Does Success Look Like?
Learning about these traits before entering the workforce provides a significant advantage.
ABC to CEO has identified 17 traits that have been linked to successful CEOs. While this is a general list of characteristics that are associated with CEOs, particular industries and companies may require additional specific skills and/or expertise. These core traits are a great place to start in an ever changing corporate world. You will see that some traits have withstood the test of time while others are more recent additions in keeping with current times.
Whether you are already in the workforce or still in school, take time to review the traits below and look for opportunities to develop improvements in each of these areas.
How We Chose These Traits
1. CONFIDENT
Knowing that she has the necessary abilities, knowledge and skills to do something successfully and to demonstrate determination to continue on, despite failure.
2. INSPIRATIONAL
Generating the enthusiasm in her teams to accomplish something that may be difficult — and the ability to cultivate highly-functional teams.
3. ACCOUNTABLE
Being responsible for and answerable to decisions made and actions taken personally and those taken by the team.
4. FOCUSED
Directing attention to the issues that matter and maintaining that attention.
5. INTEGRITY
Demonstrating ethical principles and high moral values.
6. DECISIVE
Efficiently selecting a course of action or making a final judgement regarding a situation.
7. INNOVATIVE
Having new ideas and approaches to how something can be done.
8. COMMUNICATIVE
Having someone understand her thoughts on an issue and/or explaining her ideas and expectations well.
9. RELIABLE
Being consistently dependable.
10. ADAPTIVE
Being able and willing to adjust and thrive to a new condition and/or environment.
11. RISK TAKER
Willingness to do things that may result in failure, in order to achieve a desired goal, but having a track record of generally being successful with the risks taken.
12. MANAGE AMBIGUITY
The ability to operate effectively in the face of uncertainty.
13. OPTIMISTIC
Being of a nature to expect positive outcomes.
14. TEAM BUILDER
The ability to foster team players who consider and embrace views different from their own.
15. EMPATHETIC
Understanding the emotions, feelings and positions of others.
16. IMPACTFUL
Making a meaningful and lasting difference.
17. COMPETITIVE
Having a strong desire to win or be the best at something.
The Full Guidebook
ABC To CEO created a guidebook that provides a detailed look at each trait and, through a variety of articles written on and referenced for each trait, how to begin to develop them.
For Younger Girls
For young girls (age 9 - 12), we have created a series of stories, called 17 By 17, about fictional characters developing and exhibiting these skills.
For supporting adults
We’ve created conversation guides that go with each story and provide an opportunity for adults to help reinforce the messages.
Much has been studied and written on the subject of what makes a great CEO. Although there are some attributes that appear to be common among many studies and transcend all types of businesses, the bottom line is that there is no fixed formula applicable to all CEOs.
Depending upon issues such as the nature of the company's products/services, the needs of its customer base, the place the company is in its life-cycle, the type of workforce it demands and the financial, social and political environment in which it operates, different attributes may play a more important role than others in the success of a particular CEO.
One school of thought is that focusing on too many attributes can dilute the effectiveness of key attributes that truly will make a difference in a given situation. Trying to focus on 17 traits simultaneously would be quite difficult, but being aware of all of them and focusing on a few at a time is likely most practical. Over time, a successful CEO demonstrates these traits without a conscious awareness of them and they become a natural part of who they are.
Careful Consideration
ABC To CEO is designed around the possibility of being a CEO of an existing organization or one created by an individual. Based upon our research, experience and discussions with others, we have selected 17 attributes found in many successful CEOs across various lines of businesses. Some of these attributes have been found in CEOs for decades, while some have been identified more recently as attributes that result in success in a work environment that is constantly evolving with new generations of employees, services and products.
Our list is designed to educate young women in developing an awareness of a wide variety of attributes. As women enter the workforce, an understanding of these attributes will be essential to identifying potential mentors who possess these traits as well as developing the attributes themselves for the possibility of someday becoming a CEO.
“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”