Corporate Career Success - How to Become CEO
For many people the ultimate success in a corporate career is to reach the most senior position in the corporate ladder, which is typically accompanied by a C-level title: CFO, CIO, CMO, COO, and, the top company title of CEO. Reaching the top job in the corporate world requires many years of experience and several qualities and skills such as leadership, communication skills, charisma, financial acumen and a strong understanding of the business. The only exception to this rule is when an entrepreneur, who usually has a completely different set of skills, launches a successful business venture and becomes the CEO. However, most successful entrepreneurs recognize that in order to run the company effectively and continue growing they need to hire a professional CEO.
In the days of the internet bubble, many young people, sometimes straight out of college, sought the top C-Level jobs at a startup dot-com. A few of the startup companies recognized that in order to survive they needed to hire professional business managers, or "adult supervision". Others were managed by kids who kept on spending their venture capital on lavish parties and never made any money. We know how that story ends.
For those taking a more traditional career path in the corporate world, you too can become a CEO someday. There was a time when that position was reserved for a privileged few, usually from a wealthy family background, an Ivy League degree and the right political contacts. Today, for the most part, the top chiefs get to their position through merit, that is, their ability to lead, achieve results and influence people at that level. There are no secrets to reaching the top position in a corporation, but if you are serious about pursuing the top position, you need to educate yourself. The best way to find out how to become the boss at the top is to learn from those that have already achieved that goal.
Before we further discuss learning how to become the chief, let's define a few terms. The CEO title stands for Chief Executive Officer, and it is the common way in corporate America to describe the individual who is responsible for managing all the other executives in the company and who is ultimately accountable for achieving company results. The title of President is usually redundant with CEO, and is also used to describe the head of the company, but it has special legal meanings that are significant. For instance, banks require the President to sign certain legal papers. In many countries the President, who can also be called Managing Director, or sometimes Executive Director, holds the top job.
There can be many chiefs in the company, but they all report to the CEO. Some of the most common titles include Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Legal Officer. To make it a bit confusing, sometimes the Chief Operation Officer is also the President. The COO is responsible for carrying out the operations of the company, and in these situations the CEO is more focused on developing the company strategy and dealing with the outside world. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for the company's financial statements, but in many cases CFOs carry a broader set of responsibilities, including administration, legal, strategic planning, human resources and computer systems. With the increasing role of information technology in company strategies, the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) has become more common and gained more clout among executives.
The best way to get a firm understanding of what you need to do to reach the top job in your functional area, or even the CEO job, is to learn from those that have already reached those jobs. Before you become a chief, you need to start thinking and acting like one. Many employees get too focused on their own part of the work and don't get to understand the business as a whole. They think it is their bosses' responsibilities to understand what is happening at the next level above them. This is a big mistake. You should attempt to learn as much as you can from your boss and try to understand what problems he (used generically here for both genders) is trying to deal with on a daily basis. Then try to help your boss achieve his goals and solve his problems.
Don't be afraid to reach out to the chief, including the CEO. CEOs are just folks like you and me. They come in all shapes and forms, have different personalities, different education and backgrounds. Some are nicer, warmer, more honest, and more down-to-earth than others. Some have come from wealthier backgrounds, but others started from scratch and built their careers one step at a time. But most importantly, they are all human.
If you are too far down the corporate ladder to have an opportunity to interact with the CEO or even the top officer in your functional area, you can still learn by reading about them. If you want to learn more about CEOs, I would recommend the book How to Think Like a CEO
- Secure in self
- In control of attitude
- Tenacious
- Continuously Improving
- Honest and Ethical
- Thinking before talking
- Original
- Publicly modest
- Aware of style
- Gutsy / A little wild
- Humorous
- A tad theatrical
- Detail oriented
- Good at their job and willing to lead
- Fighters for their people
- Willing to admit mistakes, yet unapologetic
- Straightforward
- Nice
- Inquisitive
- Competitive
- Flexible
- Good Storytellers
Notice that the first item on the list is secure in self. Being confident is extremely important in anything that we do in life. One common characteristic of chiefs is that they have more self-confidence than most other people. So how do you build enough self-confidence to reach the top job? Through small victories.
Most chiefs have had many successes in previous positions of lesser responsibility. This does not mean that they never failed. Much to the contrary, they learned from their mistakes and carried those lessons with them so that that they wouldn't make the same mistake again. If you are going to make a mistake, it is better to make it early when the consequences of your mistakes do not have as large an impact as when you are the CEO. Jack Welch, the famous ex-CEO at General Electric was very aware of the importance of building self-confidence is his subordinates. He has written and lectured about giving high potential employees an opportunity to get additional responsibility and build enough confidence to take on the next job in the corporate hierarchy. Many of the CEOs of the largest companies in America came from GE, where they had a chance to hone their skills and build their self-confidence.
We will cover self-confidence extensively in the Personal Development section of Worldwide Success, so be sure to also check the article is that category.
Posted: 4 November, 2006 under category Career Success.
Comments: 51
Comments
Comment written by sarah walraven
Date and Time: 2007-04-25, 10.05 am
i want to become a CEO
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2007-04-25, 8.25 pm
Sarah,
A good place to star is to develop the traits above. Good luck.
Comment written by Daniel Moreira Viotte
Date and Time: 2007-07-11, 5.29 pm
Site muito bom, pois ajuda quem tem metas e objetivos a continuar um caminho dificil e competitivo, que é de um dia ser um CEO muito requisitado no mercado de trabalho. Grato.
Comment written by Jeanette
Date and Time: 2007-07-26, 2.00 pm
I am a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley. I have my BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. I know it will be better to get my MBA. My question is, diid I choose the right major to become a CEO?Confidence I have without a dought. What more do I need?
Comment written by NarayananK
Date and Time: 2007-07-31, 12.16 pm
can you pl. send me some of the success stories of Important CEO’s
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2007-07-31, 9.04 pm
Jeanette,
I think getting an MBA will help with your goal of becoming a CEO, specially if you can get into an Ivy League school. However, I think your undergraduate major is really not all that relevant to the CEO position.
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2007-07-31, 9.06 pm
Narayanank,
You will find great CEO stories in the book recommended in the article.
Comment written by simba
Date and Time: 2007-09-08, 10.25 pm
Im currenltly a freshman majoring in math and a minor in accounting.I want to be a ceo one day after i graduate and i want to know if i am in the right track before its too late..
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2007-09-10, 7.50 pm
Simba,
First of all, your undergraduate major will probably have little effect on your ability to become a CEO. A science or business major is just fine. At an undergraduate level what is most important to do well in school. In graduate school, pursuing a MBA from a top university will probably be more influential in becoming a CEO, but even that is not as critical as many of the other factors discussed in this article.
Comment written by bacha
Date and Time: 2007-11-24, 5.14 pm
hi,
i must say that this is a very helpful article, kudos to the writer. I have a question though, i am currently in high school and being at the top has always been one of my dreams. I am planning to get an engineering degree and then an MBA. So do i have the right idea or am i taking the wrong path because many people suggested to me to get a undergraduate business degree instead of engineering but considering ur article and other ppl’s comments it seems that it doesn’t matter what undergraduate degree a person gets. thankx
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2007-11-25, 9.51 am
bacha,
I think an engineering undergraduate degree will give you a great foundation for your career, especially if followed with a MBA degree.
Comment written by christian
Date and Time: 2008-01-24, 11.15 pm
I too am interested in what it takes to be a CEO. I have an BS in engineering, an associates in a medical related discipline, and am currently finishing up a MA in International Relations. In my case, with only 5 years of work experience, where do I go from here? I realize diversity is good in some instances, but what is too much? Also, how do you actively pursue a CEO position? Other than networking, how can one position themselves to even be considered for such a position?
Comment written by Jon Howard
Date and Time: 2008-03-24, 1.38 pm
Great essential email. I was appalled when I read the information provided. I am personally going to take all of this information very serious and begin incorporating it into my managerial skills. I am a freshman in college double majoring Marketing and International Business with a minor in Mangement. I do have a question however, I am wondering if I should make International Business my minor and take up a stronger focus in Management and leadership. I am an intern for the Aldi Corporation and I have a passion to learn as much as possible during the course of my internship and work my way through the coporate ladder while learning as much as possible as well and building my abilities to lead others as I have demostrated in my past and still currently do so. I’m once again excited and inspired after viewing the information on this website. Thank You Very Much,
Jon Howard
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2008-03-24, 6.17 pm
Jon,
I think what you are doing is fine. You may also want to consider an MBA at some point in your career, so don’t worry so much about getting all your business subjects perfectly right in your undergrad studies.
Comment written by Ara Artin
Date and Time: 2008-04-22, 7.07 am
I have a lot of high level experience and yet I have not been able to get a suitable position that suits me.
Non of the recruiters in the region are able to get me something that I really want…
Anyone out there who has some connections and needs someone in a senior position?
Comment written by M.Ashraf Ali
Date and Time: 2008-06-23, 7.20 am
i am student of MBA. i want to become CEO in corporate world pls advice me some valuable skill and knowldge of business. how can enhance my skill and knowldge. pls give me a comperhension answer.
Comment written by Diego Perez
Date and Time: 2008-07-29, 9.54 am
I got my undergraduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and I’m pursuing my Master in Management Engineering in order to be a more key player in my company’s projects. I just joined the Logistics department and I have learned so much about our products, budgeting, planning and product management. With this experience and my master’s on the way, do I fit the characteristics of becoming a C-level employee or more if I keep pushing within my firm or should I jump jobs?
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2008-07-29, 9.22 pm
Diego,
If you are making good progress in your job, growing and learning you are likely on your way to success and there is no reason to switch jobs. Becoming a C-level executive will require vision, leadership and many of the traits shared in the article. Keep honing these skills and you will likely succeed.
Comment written by Miguel Venegas
Date and Time: 2008-08-01, 7.09 am
I am an undergraduate student, so far I completed most of the general courses but, I still haven’t decided in what part of business should I major. I was also thinking in having a minor in Psychology. What major usually lead to be able to become a CEO? I was thinking in choosing business administration with a concentration on finances. Should I keep this one? I heard that a major in Marketing also works well. Please some advise. By the way, great article.
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2008-08-01, 4.15 pm
Miguel,
When it comes to becoming a CEO your undergraduate major is not as important as developing the traits discussed in the article. From an education standpoint I think the best advice is to focus on getting excellent grades as an undergrad and then complement it with an MBA from a top school.
Comment written by MARUF
Date and Time: 2008-08-03, 11.59 am
I want to become a CEO.in recent days i am doing my chemical engineering bsc.am i on the right track and what plan should i take like taking a mba after undergraduate.please give a suitable advice
Comment written by Noel Martin
Date and Time: 2008-09-19, 7.42 pm
For the past few months, I’ve been searing information about the Corporate world and find it very interesting. My goal, is to become a CEO, or a COO. I just need more information on what degree you should get, the right schools, and the jobs you should take before reaching the top stop. If anyone can email me, at inoel.marie@yahoo.com, I’d be so happy if you did. Thanks ~
Comment written by Kat
Date and Time: 2008-09-27, 9.14 am
I’m currently in my last year in high school and for my college plans, I plan to major in business maganment. Will this be good if my goal is to become a C.E.O. one day??
Comment written by Naveen Mittal
Date and Time: 2008-09-29, 5.02 am
Very insightful post. CEO is the ultimate manifestation of a successful leader in corporate world.
Comment written by James Paterson
Date and Time: 2008-09-29, 5.47 am
Hi,
Good article very helpful, I am currently working as a quantity surveyor for a construction company in the UK. I have recently finished a BSc in Quantity Surveying and have begun an MSc in Construction Law. I am a member of all the right professional bodies. I am interested in getting to the top within an international firm but staying within my comfort zone (construction or quantity surveying) and wanted to know how you go about getting yourself in a position to apply for such jobs. I have looked into an MBA at London Business School which is apparently better than Harvard for MBA’s but it is 50k! Do you think I really need this?
Comment written by ahmed
Date and Time: 2008-10-07, 10.37 pm
i’m a student in high school i really want to pursue a career in business but i’m also intrested of becoming a ceo some and i want to know if anyone out there could send if some in formation on the steps i could take and can you send me a list of schools i could attend please i really need this as soon as possible thank you please help
contact me at this email (free2have1god@yahoo.com) or call me cell phone number (973)688-9792 please im serious about my career thank you
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2008-10-11, 7.22 am
Ahmed,
The traits listed in this article are not typically taught in school. Frankly, developing the skills above is more important than the school you attend. Having said that, pursuing an MBA from an Ivy League school such as Harvard, Stanford, U of Pennsylvania, etc. will increase your chances of becoming a CEO due to the networks and friendships you will develop in these schools.
Comment written by Luis
Date and Time: 2008-10-19, 5.32 pm
This is stupid. The title is misleading.
This does not explain to me how to actually become a CEO. It just explains the traits of a CEO. No where in this post does it describe what academic requirements, degrees, and level of education are necessary to obtain such positions.
Are you writing for search engines or for your readers?
Don’t get me wrong, the post is great, but it’s not appropriate for the title it was given.
I can have all the traits described here, and I will NOT get a CEO position, without the necessary degrees in the proper fields.
Extremely misleading title.
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2008-10-20, 7.29 pm
Luis,
If you are looking for a magic formula for becoming a CEO, like a particular education or degree, I am sorry to disappoint you, but there is no such thing. Many people think that becoming a CEO is about getting a particular education - the whole point of the article is to point out that in order to become a CEO you have to develop traits that are not necessarily taught in school. What you need to know to become a CEO you learn by progressively gaining experience and obtaining additonal level of responsibility.
Comment written by bob
Date and Time: 2008-10-28, 10.11 pm
I want to to become a CEO, but im not quite sure which degree to pursue in Buisines, but i was thinking Sales and Marketing. Is that the right way?
Comment written by sasi
Date and Time: 2008-11-04, 2.07 pm
I have a masters degree in Che engineering and shifted to IT and been in consulting job for 10 years. I have ambition to become CEO, looking at the 22 traits main things I am lacking are 1 3 and 9. Rest I can improve on. Being an aerage student from a average University I would be competing people of my level + average people of top schools + top graders of average school . The competetion is 3 fold. What is the the chance?
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2008-11-04, 8.40 pm
Bob,
Any business degree should be fine.
Sasi,
I would worry more about developing the traits above than your grades or school.
Comment written by JC
Date and Time: 2008-11-11, 4.02 pm
Hi all,
Im a recent graduate with an Engineering degree in Aerospace Engineering with a specialization in Business Management Science. My plan is to follow this up, after a few years of work experience, with an MBA in the best school (Ivy league) that will admit me and which I can afford.
Now, lets assume I already have all the 22 traits listed above (and Im not saying I currently do, but plan to someday), and I finish my MBA at the age of 28, what is the shortest route I can follow to become a CEO?
I understand that there is no magic formula, but knowing that you have the skill set and the education required and still being made to follow the beaten path is very frustrating! Why does age/experience matter when all that is required is the ability and skill required for the job?
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2008-11-11, 9.36 pm
JC,
Businesses are conservative entities and that is one reason why experience is important. Take a look at the following article:
http://ww-success.com/blog/index.php/2008/01/14/how-to-become-ceo-ceo-factories/
Getting a job with one of the companies listed may be a good start.
Comment written by oznur aycil
Date and Time: 2008-11-19, 9.11 pm
I really enjoyed reading everybody’s comments on how to become a ceo. I agree all of you..
My answer: To become a Ceo takes years of effort.
The combination of CEO= Education +Expertise in the field+ Charisma+ Leadership+Recognition+Realistic+Social Conciousness+Communication Skills+Innovative+Open Minded
Comment written by Amar Tiwary
Date and Time: 2008-11-23, 1.20 am
Hello Gents,
I am project control engineer (BE,Mech Engg +MBA (distance learning)) in mid 20’s.
I have accuired basic skills to sustain and to proof better that others.
My ambition is to work in design,estimation and finance and finally to become a CEO of company.
How do i initiate? Can you please send some of the CEO success stories?
Kind Regards,
Amar Tiwary
Project Control Cost & Planning
Fluor Global Corp.
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2008-11-23, 11.47 am
Amar,
Focus on developing the 22 vital traits listed in the post. Look at the list of related posts above or do a search using keywords on the upper right hand side for CEO success stories.
Comment written by John D
Date and Time: 2008-11-30, 5.06 pm
Hey, I am really confused in selecting my major but I have dream of working as a leader in a Finance related field. Is it a good option to have a undergrad in aerospace Engineering with a minor in management or accounting and an MBA. Or I shall go for Finance major during my undergraduation.
Comment written by promotional mugs
Date and Time: 2008-12-04, 12.23 am
Article gives vital information for high ranking career buildings. The tips which we came to know from article are very useful, even for good personalities. Everyone wants to achieve high career and myself too. Let me read the book on how to think about CEO.
Comment written by Michael
Date and Time: 2008-12-17, 3.44 pm
Hi, I found this article to be very important and informative as a foundation to succeed in the goal to becoming a CEO. I plan to Major in Business Management and minor in Communication Skills. Do you think this is a good foundation for becoming a CEO in the future. P.S. I also plan to develop the 22 traits and obtain my MBA from a prestigious school in the future. Thank you for your time.
Comment written by Lokesh Gupta
Date and Time: 2008-12-18, 2.37 pm
Thanx a lot for motivating me.actully from these all ques. of frnds i got my all answers.
thanx a lot
Comment written by aparupa biswas
Date and Time: 2008-12-27, 12.13 pm
hi..i am pursuing a b.tech degree in biotech. and my future wish is to become the ceo of a very known and well established company…so i am confused whether to go for an mba or m.tech.??or both?can u sugegst me a posibble futuristic decision which can lead me to this position?.because ceo is a quite a high position
Comment written by Michael A
Date and Time: 2009-01-22, 8.05 pm
Hello,
I am 22 and have a BS and 3 Executive Improvement Certificates from Notre Dame (Mendosa). I am confident that with hard work and dedication i can achieve an Executive position. Is Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business considered a top school to obtain an MBA.
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2009-01-23, 7.52 pm
Michael,
There are many fine MBA schools out there, including Notre Dame. Ivy League schools will give you the best shot at a CEO job, but short of that, it really does not make that much difference.
Comment written by Nikhil Sudrik
Date and Time: 2009-03-14, 9.07 am
Hi,
Currently i am in my final year of bca , which i am pursueing from Deemed University of pune will it affect in anyways of my ambition to become a CIO as i am in IT field i want to become a CIO , from which college/University should i do my MBA.pls suggest
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2009-03-14, 11.04 am
Nikhil,
An MBA from an Ivy League school is a good choice.
Comment written by Bill
Date and Time: 2009-04-22, 5.49 pm
There are some really good points in this article, but I have to ask: what career path will lead you to CEO?
So many people I know are caught in jobs that lead to “glass ceilings.” But what job, or jobs should comprise a career path in order to be a positive candidate for CEO?
Comment written by WWS
Date and Time: 2009-04-22, 8.42 pm
Bill,
There are many career paths that can lead to CEO. If you want to be CEO of a financial firm, a financial career would be very helpful; if you want to be CEO of a technology company a technical background would be helpful, and so on and so forth.
Comment written by ahmet aldanmaz
Date and Time: 2009-05-05, 7.01 pm
perfect essential email.i am going to start university of toronto on september and planning on taking industrial engineering as well as management.what i am wondering is that do you think my major choices are suitable in order to become a ceo? or do you think i should select another major for my future career?and could you pls tell me what steps i should follow? i will be really appriciated if you help me out and give me advice..thanks
Comment written by Dani O.
Date and Time: 2009-05-12, 11.56 am
I think that this article is very important for teenagers who think that they could never be this. It gives a good understandment of what it actually is and many young kids what to be a CEO just because of the money but its much more than that. im just wondering could a woman really be a CEO because you never really hear about it as much.
Comment written by Rodrigo
Date and Time: 2009-06-07, 1.52 am
Achei muito interessante esse artigo falando de como se tornar um grande executivo e que foca na auto-confiança. Ele dá motivação e uma visão geral de como chegar lá e que não é nenhum sonho impossÃvel de ser realizado desde que tenha incessante vontade de vencer e dedicação. Pois só assim você será um Executivo que terá uma visão “adulta” e não de uma “criança”como diz no artigo.
OBS: Tenha grandes objetivos e depois de conquistá - los não se esqueça da HUMILDADE.
Obrigado.
Write a comment: