By Jeannette Linfoot
If you look at any CEO who runs a profitable business, you’ll find someone who has adopted and maintains a clear set of habits all geared towards success.
For example, the Harvard Business Review recently reported that all business leaders need to be both consistent and agile at the same time.
For every CEO, success extends beyond personal goals; it revolves around steering the organisation and empowering employees to deliver excellence for customers or clients.
That said, here are 5 common habits of accomplished CEOs you can implement to help your performance flourish:
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They plan ahead
High-performing CEOs strategically plan, dedicating time each year for profound contemplation and research.
Achieving this level of reflection within your everyday surroundings may be challenging, so allocate time to step away and gather your thoughts in a conducive environment for clear thinking.
Successful CEOs commence their planning with a clear understanding of their ‘why,’ articulating what they aim to achieve, the purpose behind it, and the timeline for execution.
Instead of merely outlining the top three daily tasks, focus on identifying three key objectives each month and week to maintain a targeted approach.
Regular communication of your goals and expectations is also crucial to ensure everyone is working towards the same objectives.
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They manage their time effectively
A study suggests the typical CEO works approximately 300 days a year, investing 14 hours daily, totalling 4,200 hours annually. Shockingly, almost 30% of this time is consumed by emails, and an additional third is absorbed by meetings, with studies revealing that half of these meeting hours are unproductive.
Effectively executing the role of a CEO mirrors the precision of a helicopter – the ability to soar above for strategic decision-making, surveying the horizon, and judiciously landing to support the team, leverage opportunities, or address any issues.
The critical thing is then knowing when to take off again and how much time to spend in the air and on the ground.
Top-performing CEOs excel in time management, diligently delegating administrative tasks to focus on the tasks that matter most. They plan their work week and avoid participating in activities that don’t deliver value for their business.
Prioritising time is paramount, and being punctual for every appointment daily is not just a business fundamental but a reflection of reliability and respect for others’ time.
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They aren’t afraid to go outside their comfort zone
Effective CEOs demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, and a readiness to step beyond their comfort zones, and the best CEOs constantly look for new ways to improve both themselves and their organisation.
To emulate the success of top CEOs, it is vital to foster an openness to novel ideas and approaches. The best leaders embrace failing as learning and encourage their teams to do the same.
Therefore, be open to new ideas and approaches. Actively pursue learning opportunities, participate in conferences and workshops, and stay abreast of the latest industry trends and developments.
Experiment constantly, and regularly introduce new processes to uncover more efficient ways to manage both your team and overall business operations.
Embracing a culture of continuous improvement ensures sustained growth and resilience in today’s dynamic business landscape.
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They are great communicators with high emotional intelligence
Leading CEOs have high emotional intelligence with heightened sensitivity to the ‘mood’ around them, and this enhances their effectiveness as communicators.
They are clear and concise in their communications to ensure their messages are understood by their employees and stakeholders alike. Successful communicators don’t just focus on talking and what is being said – they are great listeners too.
Actively engage with the perspectives and concerns of others, responding to feedback and questions promptly and respectfully. Recognise that, as a CEO, your choice of words and attentive listening significantly influence your company’s present dynamics and future performance.
Every utterance holds weight, shaping the organisational culture and fostering an environment beneficial to success. Consciously leveraging the power of effective communication contributes substantially to the overall success and trajectory of your company. Your words do make a big difference.
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They lead by example
Exemplary CEOs lead by example, embodying the values and principles they wish for their employees and organisations to embrace, setting a benchmark for performance and integrity.
It is important to showcase to your team that you hold yourself accountable for actions and decisions, fostering a culture of responsibility.
Have a positive demeanour, being mindful of the impact your attitude has on others. This approach serves to inspire teams, cultivate collaboration, and propel your business towards enduring success.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the role of the chief executive is demanding.
While there is no perfect combination of behaviours that works for every CEO, concentrating on these fundamental habits has the potential to significantly enhance both your personal life and business outcomes.
About the author
Jeannette is a high-performing corporate CEO turned Entrepreneur with a £multi-million business portfolio across multiple sectors. Focused on helping corporate clients, business owners and senior executives take their business and career to the next level, Jeannette leverages her 30+ years of global professional experience to advise executive Boards and help individuals overcome challenges to growth and scale through business mentoring, masterminds, and board
advisory. Recent clients include Accor Hotels, Virgin Atlantic, Manchester Airports Group, FTI, Nationwide Building Society, PWC, EY and private equity clients of 3i, Equistone and ECI, to name a few.
Before her senior engagements with organisations such as TUI, Thomas Cook, First Choice and Saga, where she was CEO of the Travel Division, Jeannette graduated from university with a first-class BA Hons degree in Economics & Management Studies, before starting her career in UK Government as an Economist.
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