A Self-Assessment: CEO: What do your Key Execs want from you?

Recently I inquired of 19 high performing Key Executives just exactly what did they want from their CEO.  I was curious to hear if Leadership Team members were content with their Leader. Boy, was I wrong. 

To a person, each executive saw areas for significant CEO growth. So, when you have a quiet minute, reflect on your CEO performance in light of the input from Key Executives like yours. 

What do Leadership Team Executives want from their CEO?

1.     Lead Us – we seek direction that is clear and inspiring.

a.      Develop a written plan 3-5 years out and include me in that planning; don’t keep us in the dark.

b.     Be consistent; don’t play favorites.

c.      Stay focused; too many ideas and too many priorities.

2.     Grow Us – we’re hungry for ways to improve.

a.      Meet with me regularly; I’ve got ideas to share.

b.     Give me regular feedback – both positive & negative; I want to get better.

c.      Trust me; when you get in my “swim lane”, it feels like I’m not trusted and I hate it!

3.     Build a Great Team – make it my best team ever!

a.      Be intentional about the culture you want.

b.     Get rid of the dead wood; it drives us crazy.

c.      It’s not always about you; build a great team and let them run the company.

In the work I do with Leadership Teams, I can tell immediately how well the CEO occupies his/her seat. Teams sparkle when they are “captained” well. Engaged, energetic and optimistic teams are simply a reflection of you. So, how are you doing? What would your Key Executives say?