Executive Coaching

12 traits you need at the top

Executive coach Debra Benton urges her CEO clients to pay special attention to these traits:

1. Attitude - Good leaders stay positive and do not waver.
2. Tenacity - Nothing is ever accomplished with just one letter, one telephone call or one request.
3. Risk tolerance - Mistakes help you and others learn.
4. Active honesty - Carelessness with facts kills your credibility.
5. Prudence - Thinking before you speak helps build your purpose.
6. Originality - People like to sense that with you they are breaking new ground.
7. Modesty - It’s better to have other people recognize your ability than to point it out yourself.
8. Style - It’s not about your clothes, but about what you do while you are in your clothes.
9. Willingness to admit mistakes - If you are error-free, you are probably effort-free.
10. Downward loyalty - Leaders protect their people.
11. Straightforwardness - People support what is simple and direct.
12. Inquisitiveness - Curiosity leads any organization into new areas.

Executive Leadership, May 2008 — Adapted from How to Think Like a CEO, Debra Benton, Warner

See you in the trenches - vmsteveo