There are certain items that are prerequisites when hiring an executive. Ideally, the candidate should be either knowledgeable in the industry or the skills that are required by the organization to fulfill its mission.
Typically, when I enter the hiring process, the candidates have been vetted in these areas. What I look for are the leadership qualities that are invariably required for success.
Here’s my Top 10:
(1) Positive Energy: Staff always takes their cue from the person on top. If that person isn’t excited about coming to work, every staff member will be affected by that malaise.
(2) Energize Others: Effective leaders need to motivate and inspire.
(3) The “Edge”: This is a term borrowed from Jack Welch. It speaks to the ability to make tough decisions
(4) Vision: Any effective plan starts with a direction. You can’t lead people unless you know to where you are leading them. Part of this skill is the ability to “see around the corners,” and anticipate what may occur and manage for these eventualities.
(5) Execution Skills: The effective leader needs to help people identify the right tactics, sequencing and hold them accountable for delivering results.
(6) Passion: This is a higher level of positive energy. It’s more about a deep and resounding commitment to the client, the staff, the shareholders and the work.
(7) Crisis Management: Crises happen and they happen to everyone. A leader must be planning oriented, possess a cool head and be able to take charge when everyone else is losing focus.
(8) Authenticity: Leaders must be true to their own selves. This trait also addresses the leader’s ability to recognize his or her strengths and weaknesses and compensate for both.
(9) Ability to Learn: More than ever, today’s leader must be able to learn about their industry, their people and the world around them.
(10) Commitment to Teach: The fundamental role of leadership is to grow the next generation of leaders. Patience and a desire to educate are therefore core to the effective leader.
This list is not sequenced by importance and, naturally, the degree of strength in any area is relative to the “heart of the assignment.”
Strategy Insight 