How to become A Chief Executive Officer

• Managing Director
• President
• Founder

What do Chief Executive Officers do?

A Chief Executive Officer would typically need to:

• Create, communicate and implement the company’s vision and mission, take steps to make them a reality by setting long and short term strategic goals which are balanced, measurable, and describable
• Lead the company towards success and increase shareholder value
• Balance the needs of shareholders, employees, and customers through appropriate goals
• Consult with investors and outside entities to devise a consummate organizational direction strategy
• Make major corporate decisions, manage a company’s overall resources and operations; act as the main point of communication between the board and activities; be the public face of the company
• Build and lead the senior executive team; build and model a positive and productive work culture, values and behavior
• Evaluate the work of other executive leaders in the company
• Ensure the company’s cash flow is optimally enhanced; keep the human factor and social responsibility in perspective
• Enforce adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the company’s legality and business ethics
• Review financial and non-financial reports to devise solutions or improvements
• Build trust relations with key partners and stakeholders; communicate on behalf of the company with shareholders, government entities, and the public
• Assess risks, ensure they are monitored and minimized, analyze problematic situations and occurrences, and provide solutions to ensure company survival and growth
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the markets, expansion opportunities, industry developments, and competition regarding the company

The work environment of a Chief Executive Officer varies, ranging from comfortable permanent offices to project sites in small temporary offices. Typically, you would find CEOs working in offices that could be located downtown or in the suburbs, in corporate high rises, in simpler buildings, or even at a manufacturing site, depending on the industry, location, and size of the company. Usually, they have a private corner office, or they may spend some time sitting at a desk with the rest of the employees in smaller organizations.

Many CEOs also travel between company branches and locations, to attend conferences and to meet with investors or clients. They often work closely with other Company Managers and Executives. CEOs are advised to dress appropriately as the occasion demands.

Top executives often work many hours, including evenings and weekends. In 2016, about half of the Chief Executive Officers worked more than 40 hours per week.

Many Chief Executive Officers are self-employed. Top executives work in nearly every industry, ranging from companies in which they are the only employee to firms with hundreds of thousands of employees.

CEOs are generally employed by:

• Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• Government
• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Social Assistance

It is lonely at the top. Your entrepreneurial journey will be a scary one at times. Professional organizations help Chief Executive Officers with professional and personal growth. They will help better prepare you for the challenges that lie ahead in a fun and social setting.

• Scheduling space in the calendar for reflection and thinking
• Navigating and communicating constant change and staying ahead of the competition
• Nurturing a strong company culture and creating progress amidst chaos
• Finding talent in a good economy and retaining top talent
• Overwhelmed by problems coming at them 24/7 and overload of communication through emails and other media
• Building a strong management team and creating safe and supportive environments
• Taking stands on social issues and staying relevant and professional on social media
• Choosing the right opportunities and defining a legacy

Graduate programs often include internship opportunities, which can help build experience. Companies may offer corporate training or development programs, which can help potential Chief Executive Officers learn the tricks of the trade and teach them how to be High-level Managers.

There are no specific academic criteria, but it is estimated that 97 percent of the Chief Executive Officers of companies listed on the S&P 500 Stock Market Index has a bachelor’s degree. Some of the majors one could pursue are liberal arts, business administration, or public administration. Prior coursework or a bachelor’s degree in the profession of choice would help a prospective CEO.

You may also choose to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a similar graduate degree. Individuals currently working in a corporate or managerial position can enroll in a part-time professional or executive MBA program that integrates practical work knowledge into the curriculum. In addition to business graduates, graduates from science, engineering, and legal backgrounds also lead firms.

A degree from an elite school, such as one among the Ivy League, is an excellent credential. Students might pursue options to study overseas that allow them to study international business and develop practical skills.

The Institute of Certified Professional Managers, a globally recognized organization, offers the designation of Certified Manager, which requires a minimum amount of education, experience, training, and a passing exam score.

Voluntary certification can demonstrate competence and knowledge and is often seen as evidence of an individual’s drive and motivation, giving Chief Executive Officers a leg up for raises and promotions. Certification from an objective, credible, and reputed organization can help you stand out in a competitive job market, build your knowledge in a specific area, and become an independent consultant.

Most aspiring CEOs start at a lower-level management position within a company and work their way up over several years until a CEO opening. Prior senior-level managerial experience is also a must generally.

It is rare to enter straight into a career as a Chief Executive Officer. The job requires an aspirant to have extensive experience and a working knowledge of the potential risks and opportunities that lie ahead for the enterprise.

You can also look out for openings within other organizations. Some candidates also work for big consulting firms and then move to substantial operational roles, running large divisions. Another way to reach the top spot is through finance. Many CEOs previously worked as CFOs.

Individuals with extensive managerial experience and a stomach for the potential risks and challenges inherent in the CEO position have the best job prospects.

There is no one way to become a Chief Executive Officer. Formal education is usually required unless one is the founder of a company. Many CEOs have some form of a business degree. Most MBA programs require their students to select a concentration, such as marketing, finance, information technology, environmental sustainability, public policy, and health administration, usually related to the industry the candidates wish to advance.

There are top CEOs who have degrees in other disciplines such as engineering, law, or political science. Some well-known Chief Executives dropped out or never went to college.

The Role of a CEO Varies with Company Size

The role of a Chief Executive Officer depends on the size and overall structure of the company. In relatively small companies, the CEO often has a much more hands-on role in the company. In larger companies, the CEO typically deals with only the higher-level company strategy and directing its overall growth.

It’s Serious Work!

CEOs can make or break a company, and their job comes with immense pressure and stress. CEOs are the face of the company and need to be careful about their words and actions in public spaces. With globalization, CEOs will be met with countless challenges, and boards will look out for records that reflect a wide range of experience. CEOs usually hold a place among the board of directors, a position that comes with more responsibilities, and with considerable travel and social interaction involved, which can cause both mental and physical exhaustion daily.

Balancing Needs

CEOs must balance the needs of three constituencies, namely shareholders, employees, and customers, and three functions, namely product, marketing, and sales, and these must be reflected in organizational goals.

Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet Inc. and Google LLC, can remember every phone number he has ever dialed!

Regardless of whether you get to be the Chief Executive Officer of a large company or a small one, you will find that you are as good as your team is. The keys to building a loyal team are consistency, a focus on continual improvement, and generosity. There's no other quality essential to the success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything.

Be true to yourself and your ideas. Focus on the essentials. By taking a difficult but correct decision, you foster courage in yourself and your company. Chase the vision, not the benefits - the benefits will follow.