Stepping into a C-level role is a massive undertaking. You already know that – every aspect of the business depends on you. In fact, leadership is so demanding that one vital, subtle thing may not be on your radar screen. You are playing a role.
When you are in a leadership position you are the office as much as you are yourself. Your employees (no matter how seasoned they are) look to you as their guide. Externally, you are the human embodiment of the entire organization – the brand, the products, the financial results.
Some leaders, unaware of this delicate ambassadorship, bash through the world doing damage and missing opportunities. Some embrace the role and thrive. Others know that the ‘CEO role’ is part of the job but really wish it weren’t. They want to just be themselves. They resent being a meat puppet or a mouthpiece. They want to be seen as the humans they are!
The bashers have no idea they should serve their audiences by being great communicators, nor do they care, so let’s forget about them. The embracers are great. My only counsel to the embracers is this: don’t get so wrapped up in your created role that you lose sight of yourself and your values. Your ‘CEO role’ must never be a fiction. Its foundation is built on your values, your strengths and your vision.
Ambivalent leaders, I am speaking to you here. You do have to create a CEO role, because other people will perceive you this way whether you like it or not. But there’s a huge opportunity here. This is your role to create. Every great leader defines a role that reflects who they are and what matters to them. You don’t lose your authenticity playing a leader role, you enhance it.
When you sit and think deeply about what you want your company to be and how you want to lead it, you are doing foundational work to define your culture. When you step into the unique and purposeful CEO role that you’ve defined and consistently act according to those decisions, you shape the culture for your team and your customers. What more important thing can a CEO do?
Communication is the essential last mile in finding and motivating the right teams, acquiring strong allies, powerfully bonding with customers, and capturing mindshare with compelling stories. Nothing will serve you and your vision better than developing exceptional communication skills. If you’d enjoy finding pragmatic communications advice in your inbox every month, please click here to receive poseycorp’s newsletter.
