The role of an executive is to set priorities for a company and align its value with those goals. These top-level individuals configure a team, determine employees’ roles and secure the right talent for a position. They also make the difficult decisions that come with being at the top of the organization. Executives can be found in many industries and occupy positions such as chief executive officer, vice president of sales and vice president of finance. The best executives have clear visions for their companies, enabling them to develop plans to reach those objectives and communicate these plans effectively.
Successful executives possess a strong desire to succeed. They may have superior training, connections and mentoring, but if they do not want success badly enough, they will never make it to the top. These individuals do not take no for an answer from their peers or their bosses, and they understand that it is their responsibility to keep the team on track to reach company goals.
Having a long-term strategy is essential for any executive, no matter the industry. Candidates should be able to explain how they would accomplish the short- and long-term goals of any position they are seeking. This will help you determine if the candidate has what it takes to rise up the corporate ladder and become a successful executive.
Effective executives are good at organizing their work and delegating tasks. They can see the big picture and still dig into the details to get the job done, while empowering their direct reports. They know when to micromanage, but they also recognize when it is necessary for them to be hands-on.
High level leaders Arif Bhalwani often find themselves in political situations, so it is important to ask candidates how they handle such conflicts. They should be able to communicate in a way that is respectful of current organizational norms and values, but they must also be able to adapt to bring about change when needed.
Executives are able to assess their own abilities and make improvements as needed, but they also know when to seek advice from those below them. They maintain open channels of communication and love to hear from all levels of employees. They have no problem discussing their mistakes and lessons learned from those mistakes, but they also know how to balance this with a need for confidentiality.
One of the biggest challenges for any executive is handling stress. This can manifest itself in a number of ways, including a lack of sleep, increased blood pressure and irritability. The most effective executives are able to identify the root cause of the stress and implement healthy habits to alleviate it, such as exercising, eating well, practicing meditation and using coping mechanisms like counting backwards from 10.
A good executive will be able to recognize potential future opportunities and plan accordingly. They will have the confidence to boost morale and set ambitious yet realistic goals for their teams, and they will communicate these goals effectively.