CEO-Ready

What makes a woman CEO-ready? Here is a list you should consider when nominating.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Vision

Does she have the ability to envision a future and the path to achieve the goals to attain the vision?

Curiosity

Does she have a learning mindset?

Determination

Is she able to stay motivated during setbacks? Does she stay focused when things are going well? Does she continue to drive for results?

Takes Initiative

Is she the first person to raise her hand to be seen and heard, problem-solve and act?

Practicing self-development 

Does she realize her own strengths and weaknesses and work to be better?

Integrity and Honesty 

Does she exhibit these attributes in all she does? Is she transparent and vulnerable even when it is the hard thing to do?

Inspires

Can she get others to believe in and get behind her vision. Can she keep people motivated through setbacks?

Resilience

Has she suffered challenges and setbacks that she was able to move past?

Develops others

Is she focused on helping the people she works with?

Relationship builder

Does she connect with others even when there is no obvious gain for herself? Does she know who to bring to the table? Does she take time to help and connect others?

Bold

Does she take risks? Are the risks calculated?

Connects to the outside world 

Does she interact and learn beyond her industry? Does she make time for a life that doesn’t include work?

Collaborate

Is she able to work with a team and nurture the best in them for top performance?

Communicate

Can she communicate clearly? Does she communicate often?

Analytical

Does she look at problems from multiple angles? Does she consider other’s solutions? 

Strategic

Has she developed and executed successful strategies in the past?

Conflict management

Is she able to solve conflicts with empathy and self-reflection?

EXPERIENCE

Industry knowledge and experience

Does she have the experience and knowledge within her industry verticals to inform her decision making?

Working with the CEO/Senior Leader

Has she worked directly with a CEO/Senior Leader?

Working with BOD

Has she worked with a board and understand the responsibilities of a strategic and fiduciary board?

Lead Critical Business Functions

Has she led a critical business function (sales, marketing, product, engineering)? Has she led a critical business function outside of her native skillset?

Financials

Does she understand financial concepts, key reporting (balance sheet, P+L), and how different levers affect the bottom line?