Survey reveals key characteristics for today’s CEOs
According to a recent survey conducted across 15 countries by InterSearch Worldwide, one of the largest global executive search organizations, and published in issue 40 of industry leader Search-Consult magazine, the critical characteristics a CEO should possess in order to succeed in today’s economy are similar regardless of geographic location and economic situation.
Respondents, C-level executives of major companies in their majority, were presented with a list of 14 characteristics to choose those they consider the keys to success for a CEO today. Strategic Thinker was chosen as the No.1 criterion for success followed by Team Builder and Results-Oriented, while the least selected criteria were Authenticity, Analytical and Risk-Tolerant.
Mary Kier, member of InterSearch Worldwide’s Board of Directors and CEO of Cook Associates-InterSearch USA, explains that „the results of our survey are not surprising, nor are they necessarily different from what would have been selected as important criteria pre-crisis. They do, however, clearly reinforce that today’s CEOs must possess a well-rounded skill set, both professionally and personally. They need to be strategic and thoughtful while still driving results and inspiring the masses, and they need to be able to communicate and execute that strategy effectively and elegantly.”