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, a technology and business leader, has held leadership roles with global companies such as Yahoo, Nokia, and General Electric Company, and has served as CEO, President, and Chairman across high-growth and transformative technology companies. He also served as a board director for several Nasdaq-listed public companies, as Senior Advisor on Innovation to the San Francisco Mayor’s Office, and as Advisor to Stanford University’s Persuasive Technology Lab.