CEO Excellence
by Carolyn Dewar
Key Concepts
Orchestrate Direction
Define and align the organization around a clear, compelling vision and strategy.
Align Organization
Build a cohesive culture and structure that supports strategic execution and talent development.
Mobilize Leaders
Empower and develop a high-performing, diverse top team capable of driving results.
Engage Stakeholders
Proactively manage relationships with the board, investors, and other critical external parties.
Connect Society
Understand and address broader societal expectations and the organization's impact on the world.
Manage Self
Optimize personal energy, time, and decision-making effectiveness to sustain peak performance.
Action Items
Dedicate significant time to external stakeholder engagement and narrative shaping.
Rigorously assess and develop your top leadership team, prioritizing diversity.
Clearly articulate and embed the organization's purpose beyond financial goals.
Proactively manage your personal energy and calendar to focus on high-impact activities.
Be visible and authentic in communicating with all levels of the organization.
Core Thesis
Elite CEOs achieve exceptional performance by mastering six distinct, learnable responsibilities.
Mindset Shift
Excellence in the CEO role is not about innate genius but about disciplined mastery of a specific, learnable set of responsibilities.