Ask an Expert: How Do I Become a CEO?

Consider in which pathway your potential leadership impact lies.

• The organisational architect. These leaders can build strong teams and organisational structures, systems, and processes that lead to exceptional results.
• The relationship maven. These leaders focus on cultivating relationships and helping other people grow.
• The passion player. These leaders focus on purpose - what they will accomplish and why.

• They understand the fundamental reality that to build a real advantage is to create an engine for growth that will endure.
• They can reimagine markets and attract exceptional talent.
• They know how to assemble strong players across business functions and can give direction, resources, and freedom to deliver.

People who are naturally drawn to this instinctively rethink systems, processes, and reporting structures. They have a fixer mindset and can persuade and motivate others to exceed expectations.

• They are people persons.
• They naturally form genuine relationships with a diverse group of executives, internally and externally.
• People like them because they have an earnestness that causes trust and goodwill with customers, partners, and suppliers.
• In time, these leaders naturally bring different people together to start deals and collaborations that get bigger over time.
• They have a natural curiosity about people. They keep in touch with the people they find most interesting.

• These leaders have an infectious energy and compelling conversation about "why we do this" that draws people toward them.
• They believe doing something significant is what matters, and they use that belief to gather and motivate others to their cause.
• They are often deep experts in a specific area.
• They often take risks.

These leaders start this pathway by identifying purpose-driven leaders, reading their books, watching their speeches and videos. They notice how they frame problems and tell stories.