The market is full of books, tips and articles on how to be a great CEO, and example and observation of great people can tell exactly what to do by following their example; however there is very Little information on what a good CEO doesn’t or shouldn’t do. If you want to be a great CEO, here is a list of these things you should never do.

1. +
10 things a great CEO
should never do
By Jason Hanold
Image courtesy of Scott Schiller at Flickr.com

2. + The market is full of books, tips and articles on how to be a great
CEO, and example and observation of great people can tell
exactly what to do by following their example; however there is
very Little information on what a good CEO doesn’t or shouldn’t
do. If you want to be a great CEO, here is a list of these
things you should never do:
1. DO NOT AVOID RISK:
A CEO is the risk manager of a company, so it is their job to take
risks and not avoid them. Keep in mind that not all risks are bad,
expanding into other markets for example or offering a new
product or service are all inherent risks a manager must make.
Not taking those risks means that the company will keep
going at its current status quo, which will mean that it
probably won’t be able to compete in the market for long. In
these cases, avoiding this potentially positive risk will mean
exposing the company to a greater negative risk.

3. + 2. DO NOT ASSUME TOO MANY TASKS:
A good CEO delegates; they prepare and train several
employees to assume leadership positions in every division
of the company. This type of CEO knows that there is such a
thing as wearing too many hats, and understands that taking up
or involving themselves in every corner of a company will build
their companies around one individual, which will ultimately lead
to bad outcome.
3. DO NOT REACT RASHLY:
Successful CEOs will always look at many angles before
making a decision. They will not react impulsively because they
are too busy or uninterested in something and fail to see the
underlying issues surrounding a certain situation. They will
always make an effort to understand a situation and explore all
the possible options to resolve it.

4. + 4. NEVER ADOPT THE “IF IT ISN’T BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT”
ATTITUDE:
If everything worked just fine, there would never be room for
improvements and development. It is crucial for CEOs to be
open to new ideas, approaches and ways of doing things to be
make sure to be able to find the next big thing. It is very easy to
stay in a comfort zone and stick to our ways but a great CEO will
not.
5. DO NOT ANSWER EVERY QUESTION ASKED:
Employees will try to find every answer to issues that may
come up within a company through an executive; if a CEO
allows them, they will harass them all day. If the decision does
not have a significant effect to the company, it is futile for a CEO
to be responsible for it. Plus, not giving away all the answers and
allowing employees to figure some things out, will harvest better
leaders.

5. + 6. DO NOT BELIEVE THEIR OWN BLUFF:
C-levels will seldom find people who will defer to them.
Everyone will think that whatever they say is brilliant, at least that
is what they will say to keep their jobs. Sadly, this will possibly
make an executive believe that what they say and think is better
than it actually is. A great CEO will look for and encourage honest
feedback. They will reach out for opinions from all levels of the
organization, customers and board of directors.
7. DO NOT FORGET TO SHOW THEIR HUMANITY:
Jimmy Johnson once said: “The only thing worse than a
coach or CEO who doesn't care about his people is one who
pretends to care. People can spot a phony every time.”
People will always find it easier and more comfortable to follow
someone they can identify with and who is accessible, takes
responsibility for their actions and lets them know they care.

6. + 8. DO NOT ATTEND MANY MEETINGS:
It is necessary to learn to identify which meetings are vital to
the overall direction of the organization. Sometimes C-levels
are caught up in lengthy low-level content meetings that could
become simple 5 minute briefings.
9. DO NOT LIMIT COMMUNICATION:
Jim Alampi, CEO of Alampi & Associates, a Detroit-based
leadership firm says: "Providing the same information via
different channels increases the likelihood that employees
will actually remember what you tell them". Employees need
to be told important changes, decisions and outstanding issues
and not be shut off by their CEOs.

7. + 10. AND FINALLY TO ADD A LITTLE HUMOR, DO NOT BECOME
ONE OF THESE CEOs PERCEIVED BY EMPLOYEES AS:
“The rock collector who has no idea what he is really looking for. But
that will not slow him down. Instead of moving forward with purpose, his
direction seems to change course each day. He sends you chasing after
a goal that was never defined, and thus impossible to achieve.” Or “the
seagull” manager, who flies in, makes a great deal of noise, messes
everything up and flies out again.” And finally the “The turtle manager
who is absent frequently, hides from confrontation, inside their supposed
shell of invisibility, hoping that the problem will just go away.
The disservice to not only the staff, but to
the customer — who ends up paying the
ultimate price — is appalling. Brian de
Haaff, the Huffington Post.
Image courtesy of
Saltatempo at
Flickr.com