You’ve Been Transported to Another Time and Space

Five Things for the First-Time CEO, Part 2 (read prior post by clicking here)

“Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” – Jeff Bezos

 Congratulations – you’ve been named CEO!

 This might be the thrill of a lifetime. Perhaps it’s a goal you’ve worked for your entire career. Now you’re here, looking down the mountain. Does the view match your expectations?

 Things somehow feel different … and they are. You’ve journeyed to the next level of leadership. All eyes are upon you.

Everything you do or say is magnified. Did anyone mention that, as CEO, you’re under a microscope? Get used to it.

Your New Reality

As CEO, you personify — intentionally or not — the culture and behavior of your organization. The way you speak, to whom you speak, for how long you speak to them … all matter far more than earlier in your career.

(Image courtesy of World Economic Forum)

The decisions you make, on and off the job, all send messages to the people who work for you. You may be astonished to learn that, as a new CEO, your employees will talk about your car. They’ll discuss how much you paid for your house. Know this in advance. They’ll infer things about you and your values from these details.

Truth is, everyone in the company notices everything. As CEO, your actions have a symbolic dimension. Every move is under a microscope.

For example, you probably never thought much about who joined you for lunch. Now, other employees wonder if your lunch partner “has your ear.” Will they be diminished as a result?

Your employees hang on every word you say. Oh, but there’s more: how you say it. Your body language when talking. Whom you were speaking with. Whether you were smiling or not.

Culturally speaking, CEOs need to understand (and leverage) the reality that their behavior has a symbolic dimension. Getting rid of your corporate Audi S8, for example, has a tiny impact in the grand scheme of things. Yet doing so can go a long way to revise the tone of the organization’s culture, and perception of it, in the eyes of those who work for you.

Consider two hypothetical CEOs. One spends their bonus money on a lake home. The other takes a pay cut in difficult times, or partners in a community outreach program on behalf of employees. Which will employees want to work for? Whose organization will they evangelize about?

Don’t Just Talk - Walk!

Here’s the “what it boils down to” point: Does your walk match your talk?

You need to be aware that, because you are CEO, people will do what you say. They’ll act as you act. They’ll treat you differently (including your friends).

Why? Because you’re in charge. You might feel like you’ve been transported to another time and space. Welcome to your new reality.

Yet employees will be loyal, and work hard, if they feel you’re straight with them. So do it. Create a culture of transparency. Be honest about what’s really happening with the organization, and where they fit in. Unlike Jack Nicholson’s famous movie line, they can handle the truth.

Creating this culture doesn’t happen overnight. The best approach, frankly, is to have an advisor who’s been there. Listen to their counsel. Learn from their experiences. Avoid their mistakes. Implement valid sound practices - not just those that sound smart.

As CEO, you’re completely reliant on your employees … and they’re watching you constantly. Share the information they crave. Make them partners in success. Ensure they know they’re not just along for the ride … but are truly part of the ride!