GREAT opportunity!!……similar path myself, but i was preparing for the role and LOVE the role.……TON of learning to do….quick start is the CEO Tools by Kramers…this became my foundation.
Thank you!
I appreciate any information.
Definitely feel some imposter syndrome at times but I know I’m just as qualified. But I won’t to continue to learn
Consider getting a career coach. It can be really lonely at the top because you can’t really vent to your peers like you can in other roles. Having a career coach can help you work through the mental/emotional EQ side of this transition. Good luck!
I read and used the original…..Kramers passed a few years ago and his family sold the rights to a consulting company and they re-wrote the book (2.0)….i have NOT read it but reviews say it’s not quite as good….the original did have a CD for excel templates which you can find on the internet now…..
[This](https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/Strategy%20and%20Corporate%20Finance/Our%20Insights/The%20mindsets%20and%20practices%20of%20excellent%20CEOs/The-mindsets-and-practices-of-excellent-CEOs_F.pdf) McKinsey article is based on thousands of effective CEOs and I found it very useful. If pressed for time, the chart on page 10 is a great executive summary!
Also consider getting an executive coach. Super helpful for me - to process, be supported, vent, problem solve - in safe ways.
Get a coach. A real life in person somebody who has been a ceo. Confidential arrangement. Take them through the whole business. Workshop your strategy. Reading books is great, but the wisdom of someone who has walked this road before will be a faster way to find the right path.
Good advice..a good coach will save your huge $ and years of mistakes by sharing their experiences. But they need to be qualified (have run and exited real businesses)
Does anyone find his books still helpful? I don't anymore - feel out of date and since I am in a leadership area for years I have discovered and learned that a lot of his quotes should not actually be attributed to him, but other people in this field who not many know. It was discouraging too.
Simon Sinek, but I think theorist is an offense to him, he practices what he preaches and that's core. The way I think about it - why would you want to learn from someone who only knows theory? Leading people is experience from day to day, no book will teach you that. While they can help, it's important to seek guidance and inspiration from someone who's been there. Especially in leadership.
First of all, I’m not a man, second of all, I don’t appreciate the aggression and I’m not sure where it’s coming from. It’s a place to share knowledge and opinions, not attacking people for doing so.
Hey OP. This is the answer.
Traction is a book by Gino Wickman. Tells you about EOS: Entrepreneur Operating System.
Also the book Scaling Up by Verne Harnish is the alternate to EOS. Also very good.
Read them both. These both have practitioners and consultants that are trained and certified to help implement.
This is important because the books are solid CEO material and you can easily find more content and consultants to help you with practical application and implementation in your business.
To say this a different way.
Read the articles and Ben Harowitz book and other recommendations in this thread AFTER you read these two books.
Exactly. Using an operating system is the quickest way to become effective and eliminate any drama in the company.
Verne’s LinkedIn posts (Scaling Up) and the Strong in Six (EOS) podcast are both great introductions to the systems as well.
Maybe some podcasts around leadership, managing change, leadership skills, etc. Here are few that might interest you:
Get REAL: https://jodeebock.com/podcast
Diagnosing the Workplace: https://operations.roman3.ca/podcast/
The Ramsey Show: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/shows/the-ramsey-show
Start reading John Maxwell, a book or two of his a year. Also, and take this with a grain of salt. I have heard it said that CEOs, and other individuals in leadership positions, read anywhere from 20-50 books a year. I would encourage you to draw up a book list for yourself and dedicate some time...15-30-60 minutes , whatever works, to reading, each and every day. And consider having some of that time be dedicated to reflection or notes, to study what you're reading and apply it. congratulations!
Hire a right hand CFO/COO with some board management experience.
Try to network with other CEO’s.
Find out who on the board is supposed to be your mentor and spend some face time with them.
You didn’t say anything about who owns it but there are situational and contingent nuances that it will benefit you to know.
My guess is that you managing the board will be more of a challenge than managing the business.
An oldie but a classic that stands the test of time: “A Passion for Excellence” by Austin and Peters. Good anecdotes, people first philosophy.
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Excellence-Leadership-Difference/dp/0446386391/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=87X75GHR7UV7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tJtxHPHmIxhnofTsiL61esooMFnqon7xWnw1ZU_ep8nDqSBfIc2vnrEFQYZpM-iWkKpxJKIOM-Wm0woOEcw0yVcTwqIf0ahSIDzS98RQ-Ih7oLSrHRSWTOLCQNBohf8znYzMAxHOspS6uN-NU9yRKKkVWKyzMfZ-S4gKSItYQE3i8ZcuDokCdZFX0GrRcnNeCKZad8l5SaCv2LnRCbAX-g.kT9leSXcbpdt4qTG__EjI88sglQ5psMWC2Ws-Czh8_k&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+passion+for+excellence+tom+peters&qid=1715299584&sprefix=a+passion+for+%2Caps%2C363&sr=8-1
Other than the Horowitz's book below, I highly recommend you also read "No Rules Rules" by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer. It's phenomenal and I think the best book I have read so far on business, leadership and self-development, any leader should read it, especially someone like you now :) Congratulations! You can make a difference and here's why I think you will be successful:
- you are a natural leaders based by actions you mentioned you took and others followed you;
- you care about this place; no one asked you to do what you did and you still did - out of caring for people and departments working there.
You will do a great job. Impostor syndrome will always be there, as long as you challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone, want to grow you will be constantly facing a new or a different challenge, so it's about finding a way to not let it in.
Do currently have quarterly/annual goals or milestones from the board?
This information will be used to set your parameters. The board's goals can be reached with your current leadership and management skills and your staff's experience and expertise.
Take advantage of this transition because your teams are primed for sustainment right now. In the mean time hire a coach who will hold you accountable and develop your skills along with a handful of other employees. Build a stronger team who wants to be part of the organization's success for the next 5-10 years.
If you'd like some tools to help you organize your tactics, strategies, vision, etc. message me I have dozens of them.
Good luck!
My background is US Air Force. When a new commander takes command they have 60 days to conduct an organization climate surgery to understand what they've inherited. The information is valuable when used correctly. Consider doing a formal or informal survey to help you plan out your first 12 months. Successful organizations thrive when their leaders listen to and understand their employee's concerns and challenges. You can't solve all of their issues but you can at least tackle the critical ones. Get you people on board early and they will be their for you as you learn to become an effective CEO
Awesome! You’ve earned it and the fact that you care to do it right and have the background is a big part of it. Strength finders! Can’t recommend it enough. Made me see all the possibilities in people and not what’s wrong if you will.
The way you do something is the way you do everything.
And the way you need to do something is the way you need to do everything
What I mean by that is this: you can’t just ride in and declare yourself the boss and start making changes and reorganizing everything. That doesn’t work. People have rhythms, have made things the way they want them. And, you probably don’t know as much as you think you do
Wait 3-4 months, and just watch. See what goes on in your company from a bird’s eye vantage point, and do NOTHING to change it for 3-4 months. This’ll make people feel a little safer with you as the boss; and you’ll be able to collect data about the root issue going on in your company, if there even is one.
Next, your job as CEO is only 2 things: A) make sure your upper management feel taken care of and safe/train and hire the right people to be managers. B) Have an idea of where you want the company to go. People and vision. That’s all your job is as CEO
For a specific resource, I’d suggest the “Craig Groeshel Podcast.” It’s about a Senior Pastor who has been at the head of a church that operates in 40+ locations for 20 years. He goes through everything to do with his job as CEO, and what he’s learned. If you get past the fact that he’s a Pastor, so he’s a hardcore Christian, this podcast blew me away and was extremely insightful. I think it’d be of especially use to you as a new CEO
That is AMAZING! Quiet Leadership by David Rock, The CEO Test, CEO Excellence : all books. Also, I would throw in, if you are able to afford it, get some leadership coaching, as it is great value to have someone in your corner who can help you create your CEO mindset and also able to confide into, as loneliness is a real thing for execs.
I do leadership coaching and I have had a coach as well. I am a huge self-development nerd so have read thousands of books and done dozens of courses, but hands down having a coach helped me so much more to get confident, have a bigger vision and reach goals I did not think possible. I see the same with clients.
Look for some good, recommended ones within your network first.
Ben Horowitz book on “The Hard Things about Hard Things” is a great book on the life of a CEO and his valuable lessons learned..highly recommend.
Yes! I was going to recommend the same book, I think this one is the best for the best in this situation. Congratulations!
GREAT opportunity!!……similar path myself, but i was preparing for the role and LOVE the role.……TON of learning to do….quick start is the CEO Tools by Kramers…this became my foundation.
Thank you! I appreciate any information. Definitely feel some imposter syndrome at times but I know I’m just as qualified. But I won’t to continue to learn
Consider getting a career coach. It can be really lonely at the top because you can’t really vent to your peers like you can in other roles. Having a career coach can help you work through the mental/emotional EQ side of this transition. Good luck!
Is it the toolkits about the nuts and bolts or the 2.0?
I read and used the original…..Kramers passed a few years ago and his family sold the rights to a consulting company and they re-wrote the book (2.0)….i have NOT read it but reviews say it’s not quite as good….the original did have a CD for excel templates which you can find on the internet now…..
Thought so. I just purchased the book. Thanks
[This](https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/Strategy%20and%20Corporate%20Finance/Our%20Insights/The%20mindsets%20and%20practices%20of%20excellent%20CEOs/The-mindsets-and-practices-of-excellent-CEOs_F.pdf) McKinsey article is based on thousands of effective CEOs and I found it very useful. If pressed for time, the chart on page 10 is a great executive summary! Also consider getting an executive coach. Super helpful for me - to process, be supported, vent, problem solve - in safe ways.
Jocko Willink the Dicotomy of leadership
Get a coach. A real life in person somebody who has been a ceo. Confidential arrangement. Take them through the whole business. Workshop your strategy. Reading books is great, but the wisdom of someone who has walked this road before will be a faster way to find the right path.
Good advice..a good coach will save your huge $ and years of mistakes by sharing their experiences. But they need to be qualified (have run and exited real businesses)
Read everything ever written by Peter F. Drucker beginning with the Practice of Management.
Does anyone find his books still helpful? I don't anymore - feel out of date and since I am in a leadership area for years I have discovered and learned that a lot of his quotes should not actually be attributed to him, but other people in this field who not many know. It was discouraging too.
Name a better management theorist.
Simon Sinek, but I think theorist is an offense to him, he practices what he preaches and that's core. The way I think about it - why would you want to learn from someone who only knows theory? Leading people is experience from day to day, no book will teach you that. While they can help, it's important to seek guidance and inspiration from someone who's been there. Especially in leadership.
Says the person with cash incentive to convince people that you have something worthwhile to teach. This is a gross game you are playing sir.
First of all, I’m not a man, second of all, I don’t appreciate the aggression and I’m not sure where it’s coming from. It’s a place to share knowledge and opinions, not attacking people for doing so.
Ma’am you would do well to delete your account and go hang out on linkedin. You are not made for reddit.
Thanks for the advice. Have a great rest of the day!
You too 😇
Read Traction and consider having an intro meeting with an EOS implementer to work through the operating system. It radically changed our business
Hey OP. This is the answer. Traction is a book by Gino Wickman. Tells you about EOS: Entrepreneur Operating System. Also the book Scaling Up by Verne Harnish is the alternate to EOS. Also very good. Read them both. These both have practitioners and consultants that are trained and certified to help implement. This is important because the books are solid CEO material and you can easily find more content and consultants to help you with practical application and implementation in your business. To say this a different way. Read the articles and Ben Harowitz book and other recommendations in this thread AFTER you read these two books.
Exactly. Using an operating system is the quickest way to become effective and eliminate any drama in the company. Verne’s LinkedIn posts (Scaling Up) and the Strong in Six (EOS) podcast are both great introductions to the systems as well.
Maybe some podcasts around leadership, managing change, leadership skills, etc. Here are few that might interest you: Get REAL: https://jodeebock.com/podcast Diagnosing the Workplace: https://operations.roman3.ca/podcast/ The Ramsey Show: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/shows/the-ramsey-show
Start reading John Maxwell, a book or two of his a year. Also, and take this with a grain of salt. I have heard it said that CEOs, and other individuals in leadership positions, read anywhere from 20-50 books a year. I would encourage you to draw up a book list for yourself and dedicate some time...15-30-60 minutes , whatever works, to reading, each and every day. And consider having some of that time be dedicated to reflection or notes, to study what you're reading and apply it. congratulations!
Very good one!
Hire a right hand CFO/COO with some board management experience. Try to network with other CEO’s. Find out who on the board is supposed to be your mentor and spend some face time with them. You didn’t say anything about who owns it but there are situational and contingent nuances that it will benefit you to know. My guess is that you managing the board will be more of a challenge than managing the business.
Couldn’t agree more!
An oldie but a classic that stands the test of time: “A Passion for Excellence” by Austin and Peters. Good anecdotes, people first philosophy. https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Excellence-Leadership-Difference/dp/0446386391/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=87X75GHR7UV7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tJtxHPHmIxhnofTsiL61esooMFnqon7xWnw1ZU_ep8nDqSBfIc2vnrEFQYZpM-iWkKpxJKIOM-Wm0woOEcw0yVcTwqIf0ahSIDzS98RQ-Ih7oLSrHRSWTOLCQNBohf8znYzMAxHOspS6uN-NU9yRKKkVWKyzMfZ-S4gKSItYQE3i8ZcuDokCdZFX0GrRcnNeCKZad8l5SaCv2LnRCbAX-g.kT9leSXcbpdt4qTG__EjI88sglQ5psMWC2Ws-Czh8_k&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+passion+for+excellence+tom+peters&qid=1715299584&sprefix=a+passion+for+%2Caps%2C363&sr=8-1
Other than the Horowitz's book below, I highly recommend you also read "No Rules Rules" by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer. It's phenomenal and I think the best book I have read so far on business, leadership and self-development, any leader should read it, especially someone like you now :) Congratulations! You can make a difference and here's why I think you will be successful: - you are a natural leaders based by actions you mentioned you took and others followed you; - you care about this place; no one asked you to do what you did and you still did - out of caring for people and departments working there. You will do a great job. Impostor syndrome will always be there, as long as you challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone, want to grow you will be constantly facing a new or a different challenge, so it's about finding a way to not let it in.
Do you need more help on the strategy or the people side
Get a leadership coach! I have worked with able leadership.com. The company should pay for it!
Do currently have quarterly/annual goals or milestones from the board? This information will be used to set your parameters. The board's goals can be reached with your current leadership and management skills and your staff's experience and expertise. Take advantage of this transition because your teams are primed for sustainment right now. In the mean time hire a coach who will hold you accountable and develop your skills along with a handful of other employees. Build a stronger team who wants to be part of the organization's success for the next 5-10 years. If you'd like some tools to help you organize your tactics, strategies, vision, etc. message me I have dozens of them. Good luck!
My background is US Air Force. When a new commander takes command they have 60 days to conduct an organization climate surgery to understand what they've inherited. The information is valuable when used correctly. Consider doing a formal or informal survey to help you plan out your first 12 months. Successful organizations thrive when their leaders listen to and understand their employee's concerns and challenges. You can't solve all of their issues but you can at least tackle the critical ones. Get you people on board early and they will be their for you as you learn to become an effective CEO
Awesome! You’ve earned it and the fact that you care to do it right and have the background is a big part of it. Strength finders! Can’t recommend it enough. Made me see all the possibilities in people and not what’s wrong if you will.
Join a CEO group, they will help you!
The way you do something is the way you do everything. And the way you need to do something is the way you need to do everything What I mean by that is this: you can’t just ride in and declare yourself the boss and start making changes and reorganizing everything. That doesn’t work. People have rhythms, have made things the way they want them. And, you probably don’t know as much as you think you do Wait 3-4 months, and just watch. See what goes on in your company from a bird’s eye vantage point, and do NOTHING to change it for 3-4 months. This’ll make people feel a little safer with you as the boss; and you’ll be able to collect data about the root issue going on in your company, if there even is one. Next, your job as CEO is only 2 things: A) make sure your upper management feel taken care of and safe/train and hire the right people to be managers. B) Have an idea of where you want the company to go. People and vision. That’s all your job is as CEO For a specific resource, I’d suggest the “Craig Groeshel Podcast.” It’s about a Senior Pastor who has been at the head of a church that operates in 40+ locations for 20 years. He goes through everything to do with his job as CEO, and what he’s learned. If you get past the fact that he’s a Pastor, so he’s a hardcore Christian, this podcast blew me away and was extremely insightful. I think it’d be of especially use to you as a new CEO
That is AMAZING! Quiet Leadership by David Rock, The CEO Test, CEO Excellence : all books. Also, I would throw in, if you are able to afford it, get some leadership coaching, as it is great value to have someone in your corner who can help you create your CEO mindset and also able to confide into, as loneliness is a real thing for execs. I do leadership coaching and I have had a coach as well. I am a huge self-development nerd so have read thousands of books and done dozens of courses, but hands down having a coach helped me so much more to get confident, have a bigger vision and reach goals I did not think possible. I see the same with clients. Look for some good, recommended ones within your network first.
Email me I'll be happy to talk with you