If the Shoe Fits: The Top Five Things To Remember If You’re A CEO
by Miki SaxonA Friday series exploring Startups and the people who make them go. Read all If the Shoe Fits posts here.
If You’re A CEO
- Foremost, you are guardian of the big picture. You must clearly identify the goals of the company, then work with your people to turn them into specifics. Get their buy-in by making sure they understand how their personal goals, the company’s goals, and others’ interact. The biggest rewards at all levels should go to those who understand the company’s goals, and ethically do whatever is necessary to achieve them — especially when it takes precedence over their personal goals.
- You set the tone of the organization. If you’re political, secretive, nitpicking, or querulous, that is how your organization will be. No matter what — your people will do as you do, not as you say.
- People produce best if they know, and help determine, the range of their control — this is the RampUp Management Box. Their decisions inside the box are final; decisions outside it require approval. Through discussion of their performance, the box will grow or shrink. Your company’s strength will increase in direct proportion to your people’s growth, so make their boxes as big as possible.
- Never criticize an employee in the presence of others. Praise in public, criticize in private.
- People are your company’s most sustainable competitive edge. Enhance your people’s ability to do their jobs by clearly defining and communicating what they are.
Remember…
To change what they do…change how you think!™