Desire and energy
A successful CEO must have the desire or will to achieve, the energy, and the intellect.
“The desire to achieve actually describes the passion in any good leader,”
“The second, energy, describes his lasting capability. Too many so-called leaders fail because they give up too easily.
“The third — intellect — has very little to do with a university degree. Some of our best entrepreneurial forefathers did not have the opportunity to go to university, but have succeeded because they are very intelligent people.”
Makes tough callsThe CEO must dare to make decisions, especially the hard ones, whether they concern layoffs or pay cuts, or other difficult strategic decisions.
When making the tough calls, he must also have the ability to communicate his decision appropriately.
“Compassion isn't often a term associated with the most successful global CEOs, and they are paid to make the right commercial decisions for the welfare of the organisation and its shareholders,” said Guy Day, managing director at recruitment agency Ambition.
“That said, CEOs don't always need to be ruthless, and the manner in which difficult decisions are communicated, particularly around job cuts, can make a real difference.”
Tim Hird, managing director of human resource consultancy Robert Half International, said that not only do CEOs need to communicate, but they also need to do so consistently and sincerely.
Integrity
Leader with integrity are consistent, willing to trust others, and care about their employees' well-being.
These leaders are honest and transparent in a way that allows others to understand not only their decisions, but also the reasoning behind them.
Moreover, when they make big decisions, they hold themselves accountable for them, said Leon Perera, group managing director of Spire Research and Consultancy.
Gina McLellan, Singapore country manager of search firm Hudson, said a CEO should commit to “conducting himself with the highest standards of ethics and integrity which will inspire people's confidence and trust”.
Bill George, retired CEO of medical technologies provider Medtronic, once termed traits such as integrity and character “authentic leadership”.
Simply put, this is the quiet kind of charisma that puts a sense of values and purpose ahead of magazine covers.
Vision and strategy
The CEO must have a dream, a mission, a strategic intent, a vision and he must be able to articulate that vision.
“In the political sphere, (former United States presidents) John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and our very own Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew were masters of the art of communication,” Tan said.
Day said many CEOs are focused on short-term profitability and cash flow, both of which are critical.
But a successful CEO, he added, also needs to communicate to the organisation that there is a “clear plan” to where the business is headed, and despite the challenges in the economy, that path is broadly being followed.
