A Handful of Tips 23 – The New CEO

Five of the best tips for a new CEO

Tread softly when you begin working in a new organisation. You will be watched an

d judged from the day you arrive.

          You can move into the new leadership role smoothly and lay the foundation for a supportive hard-working team by following these five tips.

1. Select an experienced personal assistant

You need someone within the organisation to alert you to traditional procedures and to tell you the history and the politics of the business.

2. Establish a rapport

Your first major task is to establish a rapport with the senior staff  and  influential workers.

          Move around the workplace and chat to staff to get  their opinions on their jobs and the organisation. Be friendly and humble.

          Ask questions and listen carefully.

3. Win respect

Consult your team leaders before making changes. Listen to their opinions and suggestions and ask the ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘when’, ‘where’, ‘how’, ‘who’ and ‘how much’ questions.

          When you introduce new ideas, involve staff and let them discuss the changes and put forward their ideas. You will get greater acceptance if they believe some of the changes were their ideas.

4. Set up effective two-way communication systems

Share your vision, goals and objectives with staff and encourage honest feedback.

          Keep staff informed of proposed changes and why they are necessary. When they understand the need for change they are more likely to support you.

5. Improve working conditions

As soon as possible upgrade any working conditions you believe would make life easier for people. You will find this will give you greater support  when you initiate major changes.

          To gain early support  target a few projects where you can achieve success quickly. Nothing succeeds like success.

-Geoffrey

“There are four keys to success – tenacity of purpose, what you know, who you know and the necessary resources.”

Source: “Secrets for New Managers” Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and Cengage Learning Asia, Singapore. Also available as an e-book from Cengage Learning and Amazon.com.