Achieved Strategies

I ran across a question in my local paper on Sunday that answered the question, “What do CEO’s actually do?”  The answer reflected what any leadership book for an MBA program would say: strategy, promote the organization in media, interact with the community and so on.  Rather banal answer.

So, E.M. of Sioux City, Iowa, I offer an add-on to The Motley Fool’s response.

The CEO has many responsibilities, one of which is to help ensure the executive team is performing like a well-conducted orchestra.  Do the other executives know the direction of the organization? Does each executive know when he or she is needed and when to step back? Are they punctuating their tactics with the necessary vigor or finesse?  I could go on.  But what holds the orchestra together is the ability to perform well together.  When another member threatens to disrupt the harmony with unclear intentions, the CEO calls out the action for discussion.  It’s not allowed to go unchecked.

So, why is this important?  It’s what all managers do, right? Perhaps.  But, that’s not an acceptable response any longer.

Even in today’s world where leadership comes from all levels within the organization, the senior leaders are still looked to for guidance.  They model what all other leaders – formal/informal – ought to practice.

One crucial thing CEOs do is have tough conversations with any person on his or her team for poor performance, inappropriate comments, inappropriate use of power or influence, and dishonoring the company’s values.  The message must be that no action or behavior that cripples performance will be tolerated.  And I don’t care if “that’s how Tom is” has been an acceptable answer.  CEO’s must be willing to address under-performance by anyone and hold all managers to their promise to lead and manage people.  And their goal is to help others perform at their optimum level.

E.M. of Sioux City, Iowa, The Motely Fool’s answer was accurate.  Yet, CEOs recognize that quality results are more likely when employees can bring their A-Game to work.  And when anyone and his or her actions threaten that, the CEO sets the standard in how to resolve the discord.