{"id":2792,"date":"2021-03-05T15:13:02","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T15:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/?p=2792"},"modified":"2024-04-22T06:15:49","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T06:15:49","slug":"c-suite-leadership-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/c-suite-leadership-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 top C-suite leadership skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-to-top”]From CEOs to CMOs, CIOs to CFOs, C-suite\u00a0<\/span>executives share some<\/span>\u00a0common leadership\u00a0<\/span>traits<\/span>:\u00a0<\/span>the ability to inspire and align others around shared objectives<\/span><\/b>, an agile mindset and a robust understanding of the\u00a0<\/span>overall\u00a0<\/span>business<\/span>, to name a few<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While these<\/span>\u00a0core\u00a0<\/span>qualities<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>stood the test of time,<\/span>\u00a0it is also true that\u00a0<\/span>different\u00a0<\/span>times\u00a0<\/span>call for\u00a0<\/span>additional<\/span> skills. So what does effective leadership look like in the post-COVID era<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>What<\/span>\u00a0new<\/span>\u00a0qualities should the C-suite embrace to navigate a world spinning off its axis?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IESE\u00a0<\/span>professors<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and other thought leaders<\/span>\u00a0have looked at what characteristics<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 s<\/span>ome classics and others newer –<\/span> an ideal CEO needs. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10 C-Suite leadership skills you need<\/h2>\n

1.<\/span> Strong<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>inclusive<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and inspiring<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Capable<\/span>\u00a0of motivating, inspiring and aligning the entire team behind a shared goal<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Crucial to th<\/span>is<\/span>\u00a0is emotional intelligence (EQ), which has two sides to it: first, the ability to recognize, understand and effectively manage one\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>own<\/span><\/i>\u00a0emotional state, and second, the capacity to engage empathetically with\u00a0<\/span>others<\/span><\/i>\u00a0and appreciate\u202ftheir\u202femotional states. Leaving this textbook definition aside, the maxim \u201cPeople join companies; people leave bosses\u201d perhaps best captures the essence of EQ.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While often deemed a \u201csoft skill\u201d \u2013 and as such, less critical than technical proficiency and bottom-line results \u2013 EQ is critical for leaders who aspire to unite, motivate and align others. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span> A<\/span><\/span>\u00a0strategic<\/span><\/span>\u00a0vision\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

F<\/span><\/span>or the medium-long term, balancing prudence and practicality<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Read the article about How to improve your strategic thinking<\/a><\/p>\n

3.<\/span> F<\/span><\/span>lexible and able to manage change<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the post-COVID era, <\/span><\/span>stay<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span>\u00a0put in a comfort zone\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is no longer an option.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span> Principled and able to lead by example<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Solidarity, closeness, humility, optimism and courage are values that have gained traction in society and in companies.\u202f<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The ambiguity unleashed by the pandemic has made it glaringly obvious that no one has all the answers, highlighting\u00a0<\/span>the need for humility and a willingness to listen to dissident voices.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0It\u2019s also important to define humility as a concept since some mistake it for passivity or submissiveness, according to Edward D. Hess, a professor at UVA-Darden<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cRather, it\u2019s the ability to tame one\u2019s ego and connect with others creatively. […] This is the gateway to an open mind, partly because it allows you to process new information without reacting fearfully or defensively<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0Hess says.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IESE Prof. Sebastian Reiche agrees: \u201cResearch supports the positive notion of humility, linking it to inquisitiveness and openness towards learning and being taught by others.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]

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