In The C-Suite Business Leadership Trumps Functional Leadership

The executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles conducted interviews to explore the trends of C-level success.  One consistent finding across C-level roles surfaced. Once people reach the C-suite, technical and functional expertise matters less than leadership skills and a strong grasp of business fundamentals. Members of senior management are expected not only to support the [...]

By |2017-11-07T14:18:07-05:00November 28th, 2017|

C-Suite Success Requires Self-Management

A final component in the McKinsey report on successful C-level transitions dealt with self-management.  Just over half of the executives in the study reported they spent too little time preparing for the personal demands and their own readiness in the new positions. The executives with the most successful transitions, however, spent more time than others [...]

By |2018-01-05T22:08:34-05:00November 21st, 2017|

The Role Culture Plays In Successful C-Level Transitions

One aspect of the McKinsey study that explored successful transitions into the C-suite looked at culture. It is an aspect of the transition process that can pose a challenge. Many executives believed they did not have accurate ways to measure or even describe it. This was especially true for external hires. Forty-two percent of the participating [...]

By |2017-11-15T18:47:36-05:00November 15th, 2017|

Successful C-Level Leaders Leverage Their Teams

C-level executives in the McKinsey study on the successful transition to the C-suite acknowledge they did not have all the answers when they began their new positions. Most executives in the study said they relied on the input of their direct reports when determining solutions to the strategic problems they faced at the beginning of [...]

By |2017-11-07T13:51:07-05:00November 7th, 2017|

Successful C-Level Leaders Share Their Vision On Business Priorities

Executives in the McKinsey study on what factors contribute to the successful transition into the C-suite, ranked business-related activities as the most impactful.  The majority of executives said it was “very or extremely important to create a shared vision and alignment around their strategic direction across the organization.” Executives reporting the most successful transitions stand [...]

By |2017-10-31T13:10:50-04:00October 31st, 2017|

Leading Diverse Talent – What it Takes

Demonstrate Vulnerability Leaders who successfully lead and develop diverse talent are students of vulnerability.  They let their guard down, put aside pretenses and share their stories to establish common ground.  These leaders are comfortable with not having all the answers, they listen actively, and freely embrace the perspectives, opinions, and thoughts of others.  This helps [...]

By |2018-01-05T22:08:34-05:00October 17th, 2017|

Leading Diverse Talent – What it Takes

Sponsor “the Risk” The conversation regarding the advancement of diverse talent is often thought of in terms of risk.  Leaders that successfully lead and develop diverse talent willingly sponsor "the risk."  They understand that the perceived risk is no more or less than it would be for other individuals.  They build the relationships with diverse [...]

By |2018-01-05T22:08:34-05:00October 10th, 2017|

Leading Diverse Talent – What it Takes

Challenge stereotypical thinking Leaders who successfully lead diverse talent have the courage to challenge the biased thinking of others. Negative comments and jokes targeting specific groups are squelched; and micro-aggressions are called out, not ignored. I was once in the presence of a leader who suggested that what was interpreted by one leader as abrasive (in his [...]

By |2017-10-03T17:07:33-04:00October 3rd, 2017|

Leading Diverse Talent – What Works

Participation in experiences that broaden perspective The efforts of leaders that demonstrate success leading diverse talent are often supported by their organizations through professional and leadership development experiences that raise awareness and influence perspective.  These leaders willingly participate in internal training like Unconscious Bias which broadens their perspective and shifts their thinking.  They participate in community leadership [...]

By |2017-09-13T16:50:42-04:00September 26th, 2017|

Leading Diverse Talent – What Works

Expanded exposure and visibility – It takes a village Leaders who successfully lead diverse talent understand that they do not have all the answers and they provide access to their internal network for additional support. These leaders understand that retention, development, and advancement of diverse talent are organizational responsibilities that can and should cross functional [...]

By |2017-09-13T16:51:37-04:00September 19th, 2017|
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