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"When I grow up"
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Leadership
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" That must be the most frequently asked question on the playground. Occupations like police officer, teacher, pilot, princess, or singer generally score high, but jobs like CEO, business manager, or entrepreneur are less common.
Yet some children will rise from the playground to become entrepreneurs or CEOs. For some, it's a calling, while others climb step by step to the top. All top managers know that this path isn't easy. The position at the helm is intense and can put pressure on your personal life, but it can also be very rewarding. What do you need to know if you aspire to a career as an entrepreneur or CEO?
Be realistic
Think about why you're pursuing a particular position. Are you a natural leader? Have you always been entrepreneurial? Do you often take on a leading role? Or have you already launched small projects or businesses? If you can't wholeheartedly say yes to these questions, are you even sure a leadership role is right for you?
A CEO position can be incredibly exciting, but also very demanding. You'll have to make choices and set priorities that may differ from traditional life.
Step by step
Some people start their own businesses and become CEOs right away. Others climb the ranks step by step. On average, it takes 24 years to reach the CEO position, but some people complete the journey faster.
Unlike a hierarchically structured firm, you can often gain management experience more quickly in a small company and launch initiatives that showcase your potential. Try to regularly ask for more responsibility and seek out large-scale projects.
True leadership qualities often shine in crisis situations or during busy times. Make decisive but controlled decisions, especially when others are losing control. Demonstrate your ability to maintain an overview at all times, as a CEO must take charge of the company's overall direction and manage its operations.
Persistence pays off
The path to the top is often more winding than straight. If you want to reach the C-suite, perseverance and persistence are essential. Over the years, you can develop management skills and other competencies that are useful as a leader.
Think about leadership ; after all, you must be able to mobilize teams and activities to facilitate organizational growth. Furthermore, communication skills are crucial for communicating the vision clearly and convincingly, both internally and externally, and ensuring everyone is on the same page. It's also important that aspiring leaders learn decisive and solution-oriented thinking to correctly assess, manage, and successfully resolve situations or risks. Finally, time management is essential to ensure that objectives are achieved on time and resources are deployed optimally.
Some people are born leaders, but you can also develop into one by gaining experience, taking training courses, or hiring a business coach who can guide you in your growth path.
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