Page 3 - Inside Access

Leadership Lessons to
Learn from CEO Successes and Failures
1. Be Aware of your Cognitive Biases
Many CEOs and leaders over time get tunnel-visioned and isolated. They get siloed, have access to filtered information and are surrounded by similar-minded executives. It is important for CEOs to step away and get curious about "what is really going on here." Be aware of your cognitive biases, seek out diverse ideas and opinions and be disciplined about taking perspective.
-Shefali Raina, Alpha Lane Partners
2. Practice Humility
Humility defines leadership. Successful leaders are humble, recognizing many people and levels contribute to an organization. They build teams that provide acknowledgment of great work and tolerance for risk, including losses. Leaders who fail often lack humility, routinely taking all of the credit and none of the blame. They have weak teams, leaving no soft landing when they themselves stumble.
-Kristin Johnson, Logos Consulting Group
3. Invest in your Team
When a CEO or other leaders invest in their team, the team invests in the company. Leaders should understand that leadership isn't about them, it's about the team. Without a team, there's no need for a leader. Investing time and resources in developing team members is the best way to improve the culture and employee engagement. Leaders should pay attention to who is in their circle of influence.
- Dr. Teresa Ray, PCC, Dr. Teresa Ray
4. Define and Stick to your Values
I've coached several CEOs at critical junctures in their lives and businesses. These leaders actively consider their values when making decisions. Their values play a pivotal role in helping them take actions closely aligned with business and life goals. The leaders I've met during the valleys of their careers admit they made critical missteps because they failed to hold tight to holistic values.
- Leila Bulling Towne, The Bulling Towne Group, LLC
5. Avoid the Status Quo
Leaders must not cling to status quo thinking. To quote Marshall Goldsmith, "What got you here, won't get you there." Many CEOs cling to tried-and-true ways of doing things that worked well in the past. Unfortunately, the market changes so much that those ways might no longer be the best way. Keeping eyes open to the changing market and exploring curiosity can be critical for success.
- Dr. Diane Hamilton, Tonerra
Contributed by Oye Jolaoso
PAGE 3 INSIDE ACCESS | NOVEMBER 2020 4TH EDITION
FOOD FOR THOUGHT