The CEO of Tomorrow

What characterizes the leaders of tomorrow? Here are the top traits:

I was asked by a group of business school students recently to characterize the “CEO of Tomorrow.” Sharing with you my initial thoughts:

✅ Operational Excellence: Keeps the organization moving forward and drives operational excellence even, and especially, in the midst of uncertainty.

✅ Strategic Thinker: Is ahead of the curve and positions the company to benefit from new waves of innovation and unexpected opportunities.

✅ Data-driven and Agile: Recognizes that s/he doesn’t know it all and is able to quickly refine the company’s course based on new/better data and information.

✅ Tech, Product and Digital Acumen: Appreciates how technology, platforms and a product mindset are a competitive advantage and enables the company to take informed bets.

✅ Collaborative and Flexible: Is a good listener, has empathy, and rallies the entire organization with clarity of purpose towards shared priorities.

✅ DE&I: Understands that diversity, equity, and inclusion is a driver of innovation.

✅ Learner + Doer: Is ok with not necessarily having all the answers, however is able to lead a group of people from the front towards the answers.

✅ Customer as the North Star: Is continually focused on improving customer experiences and raising the bar on customer delight.

What do you think? What’s missing here in the ingredients of a great future leader? DM or share your thoughts.

#ceo #management #future #careers #innovation #technolog

Rahul Mewawalla has served as a business and technology leader across several high-growth and transformative technology companies, including Yahoo, Nokia and General Electric Company. He also served as Senior Advisor on Innovation to the San Francisco Mayor’s Office and Chair of the Venture Capital Task Force Committee on Services and Systems.