As a CEO, you will encounter a number of scenarios that require different leadership skills to tackle. By understanding and mastering these skills, you can become more efficient and guide your team in the workplace.

Communication

Communication is one of the most crucial skills when managing people. If you have any concerns or praise, you need to be able to communicate this with the person in question. This also applies when you're communicating with someone digitally. To help with this, you should;

Seek feedback from your management or co-workers.
Observe how others handle different situations and utilise this in your own scenarios.
Improve your communication skills with a leadership coach.

Conflict Resolving

Conflict will most likely arise in the workplace. How you deal with this is crucial. To be an effective CEO, you need to understand how to approach and resolve issues in the most peaceful way possible. If you don't handle the situation correctly, it could disrupt work and lead to a lack of confidence in your team to discuss issues with you. To improve your conflict resolution, try the following;

Address the conflict as quickly as possible so the situation doesn't escalate.
Try to understand everyone's perspective by putting yourself in their shoes.
Don't pick a 'side'; deal with the conflict without being biased. Otherwise, the opposing party may become uncomfortable and see it as unfair.
Discuss conflict resolution with a coach to get a personal opinion based on past or current situations.

A CEO sat across from his employee at a table using leadership skills to discuss work

Motivating Others

As a CEO, you need to ensure that your team is working efficiently. It is your role as a leader to motivate them and explain why they’re undertaking certain tasks and the impact that they are having on the large-scale business goals. In order to motivate your team, make sure to:

Express admiration for people’s completed tasks to show them they are valued as team members and that the work they produce benefits the business.
Interact with your team members to help build your own relationships and the relationships between co-workers.
Encourage a well-balanced work environment where your staff can tell jokes and work hard. This can help them enjoy their time working.
Set both simple and complex goals for people to work towards. Once they've achieved a goal, it will give them a sense of achievement through the work they've produced.

Decision Making

Good decision-making involves careful evaluation of the situation. Consider the impact, be decisive, and weigh out your options. Making decisions will always be a core part of management, both easy and difficult. Becoming comfortable in the decision-making process is essential.

Gain as much information as possible before evaluating your choices.
Consider all the possible outcomes and the repercussions that could occur.
Reflect on past decisions made by yourself and others. Think back to the process they took.
If you find it difficult, consider discussing this with a coach to help you overcome your doubts.

Delegation

Delegating tasks rides on a very fine line, you need to ensure that the workload throughout the team is well-balanced but also that you assign an even spread of easy and more difficult tasks. Your staff will always compare their own work to that of their co-workers. Consider the following;

Assess your team's strengths and weaknesses, and assign tasks that compliment their skills.
Provide resources and clear instructions for the tasks that have been set in order to avoid any confusion.
Avoid micromanaging. Doing so may make them feel as though you don’t trust their planning, which can result in them doubting their work and role within the company.

Wooden figures laid out on a piece of paper with pointed arrows to symbolise delegation for CEOs to Employees

Accountability

Taking accountability will improve your work overall throughout your career. It will also show your team that it's okay to make mistakes sometimes and that it is important to learn from them.

Provide regular feedback and give performance reviews to your team and yourself. Take a step back and evaluate what you've accomplished so far, and ask yourself: Could this be improved?
Talk to a professional coach about any issues you've had. This will help you identify when you need to take accountability.

Time Management

Time management is vital. This applies not only to your own workload but also to your teams, ensuring they are keeping track of tasks and not becoming overwhelmed. Below are some useful tips to help you manage your time effectively;

Create to-do lists which you can tick off throughout your work.
Set aside specific time slots. This time should be used for people to focus on tasks without distractions.
Set up a recurring internal meeting with your team to go through the work that has been completed and the work still to be done to ensure nothing is missed or late. This will also apply some constructive pressure to your team without asking them directly.

Graphic design of a laptop and phone with digital calendars on the screen to symbolise the importance of time keeping for CEOs

Reliability

As a CEO, your team needs to be able to rely on you. You need to be someone they can talk to about potential worries, conflicts, and work struggles. Gaining trust will allow your team to feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters.

Listen to your team and take action on points they have discussed with you.
Always follow through on any commitments you have made.
If issues come up which may affect your reliability, discuss them with your team and be honest.

Stress Management

When facing change and challenges, you need to understand how to handle them and ensure they don’t have a negative impact on your team. Establishing an organised routine will help manage your mood and limit your stress levels as much as possible;

Take frequent breaks for fresh air, have a coffee break, or eat some food. This will help your mind relax and give you a break from constant work.
Create a supportive work environment where you discuss and help each other in times of need.

Coaching

Coaching can benefit your work life and help you become a more influential leader within your team. If you are seeking a professional leadership coach, you can view my coaching page or get in touch. If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out previous blogs.

10 Essential Leadership Skills Every CEO Should Master