“How to become a successful CEO?” – This question has always haunted generations of entrepreneurs. Perhaps no one is born a CEO, but reaching that position requires constant effort and a set of “top-notch” skills.
1. Leadership Skills: Leading the Team Towards Common Goals
“Being clever is not as good as being skillful, being skillful is not as good as knowing people.” To lead a team towards success, a CEO needs to “know people as they know themselves,” understand psychology, grasp the strengths and weaknesses of each member to assign appropriate tasks. A good CEO is someone who knows how to inspire, motivate employees, make them feel respected and want to contribute wholeheartedly.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Lan, CEO of ABC Construction Joint Stock Company, an effective CEO needs to have effective communication skills, clearly convey the company’s vision and goals, and create a positive working environment that encourages creativity and innovation. In the book “Effective Leadership”, the author also emphasizes the role of team-building skills, creating trust and employee loyalty.
“
2. Financial Management Skills: Sound Mind, Solid Finances
“Constant dripping wears away the stone,” if you want your company to develop sustainably, the CEO needs to understand and manage finances tightly. Financial management skills help CEOs make wise investment decisions, optimize costs, ensure stable cash flow and sustainable development.
Mr. Le Van Hieu, a financial expert, once shared that: “CEOs need to master the basic principles of corporate finance, build a transparent financial reporting system, and control cash flow, manage financial risks and optimize profits.”
“
3. Communication Skills: Attracting Partners, Building Relationships
“Sweet words loosen bundles of cotton, bitter words tie ropes tightly,” a good CEO is someone who knows how to behave skillfully and flexibly in communication, building solid relationships with partners, customers, and employees.
Mr. Tran Van Minh, CEO of XYZ Trading and Service Co., Ltd., believes that: “In business, communication is the key to success. CEOs need to practice effective communication skills, know how to listen, understand the other party, and show professionalism and trustworthiness.”
“
4. Strategic Thinking Skills: Long-Term Vision, Steady Steps, Big Wins
“Respond to ever-changing situations with constancy” – to lead a business ahead of its time, a CEO needs to have strategic vision, develop long-term plans, and quickly adapt to market changes.
Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, a strategic consulting expert, emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking skills in the current fierce competitive environment: “CEOs need to be able to analyze the market, identify the strengths and weaknesses of the business, develop effective business strategies and adapt flexibly to market changes.”
“
5. Problem-Solving Skills: Handling Challenges, Turning Difficulties into Opportunities
“Failure is the mother of success” – CEOs must be brave, persistent, and know how to solve problems effectively, quickly come up with optimal solutions to overcome difficulties.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tai, a training expert in problem-solving skills, CEOs need to be able to analyze problems, identify causes, propose appropriate solutions, and implement them effectively.
“
6. Time Management Skills: Planning, Effective Organization
“Time is money” – CEOs need to manage time effectively, know how to allocate time reasonably for work and life, to achieve optimal efficiency.
Ms. Le Thi Hong Nhung, a time management consulting expert, shared that: “CEOs need to know how to plan, prioritize tasks, use technology effectively, and spend time for themselves and their families.”
“
7. Adaptability Skills: Flexible Change, Grasping Trends
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” in the age of Industry 4.0, CEOs need to adapt to rapid market changes, grasp new trends, and continuously update knowledge and skills.
Mr. Tran Van Thang, an information technology expert, advises: “CEOs should invest in learning, participating in training courses, updating new knowledge, and encouraging employees to learn, innovate, and adapt to technological changes.”
“
8. Risk Assessment Skills: Recognizing Dangers, Safe Progress
“Better safe than sorry,” CEOs need to be able to assess risks, predict potential dangers, and develop timely prevention and response plans.
Mr. Nguyen Van Long, a risk management expert, shared: “CEOs need to be able to analyze risks, develop response plans, and regularly update information, reassess risks, and adjust plans accordingly.”
“
9. Presentation Skills: Attracting Customers, Presenting Ideas
“Good words, beautiful ideas,” CEOs need to have effective presentation skills, convey messages clearly, attract the attention of customers and partners.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, a training expert in presentation skills, emphasized: “CEOs need to practice the skill of presenting ideas, attracting the attention of listeners, and using visual language and illustrations to enhance presentation effectiveness.”
“
10. Self-Development Skills: Improving Yourself, Becoming a Better Version
“Learn, learn more, learn forever” – CEOs need to constantly cultivate knowledge, skills, improve themselves to adapt to social changes, and become a better version of themselves.
Mr. Le Van An, a personal development expert, advises: “CEOs should spend time on self-study, participate in training courses, read books, cultivate skills, and also exercise, maintain optimism and a positive spirit.”
“
Conclusion:
To become a successful CEO, it is necessary to constantly practice and cultivate essential skills, from leadership skills, financial management, communication, strategic thinking, problem-solving, time management, adaptability, risk assessment, presentation, to self-development skills.
Remember that success is the result of a process of learning, practicing, and constant effort. You can refer to other articles on the “SOFT SKILLS” website to learn more about each specific skill.
Leave a comment and share this article if you find it helpful! Wishing you success!