I am very blessed to have CEO Connection as one of my clients.
It’s an organization connecting CEOs of companies with more than $100 million in revenues and I spend time with the CEOs early on in their membership as Co-Chair of the Membership Committee.
One of the perks of the job is that I am able to attend the annual CEO Boot Camp that takes place in Chicago every November, with this year’s event taking place earlier this week. An intimate group of CEOs from companies around the world, representing some major brands – and some you’ve never heard of – gather to share insights and experiences that will enable them to be stronger leaders.
Over time I’ll be sharing with you some general nuggets of wisdom that were unearthed during the course of the event. The one I wanted to share first particularly struck me as we were discussing what kinds of skill sets CEOs look to hire.
The nugget was this, “I hire for values more than skills because that way I know what they believe in. I look for aspiration instead of ambition because it’s more pure.”
Never had I heard a more resounding testimonial for values by someone at that level of an organization – one that didn’t sound like company-speak.
He wants to know what the people working with him genuinely believe in and he wants their intentions to be pure.
Though we did not further discuss this as a group I’d like to posit the following:
- Knowing what your team member believes in and that their intentions are of the highest repute enables you to trust them
- Being able to trust and be trusted is a requirement for highly effective teams and organizations
- As a leader, letting your followers see the truth about what you really believe in enables them to trust you
- If your followers trust you, they’ll be more likely to follow you with conviction
- What you really believe in is the heart – the North Star – of your larger vision
All of which led me to deduce that bringing your values to your leadership approach – and letting others see who you truly are and what you believe in – may be your greatest predictor of success.
What do you think?
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Photo is first light by paul (dex).
15 Response Comments
May there be a whole lot more CEOs like that one!!!!
You’d love him, Steve! The stories he told about how he would motivate some of his less educated employees early in his career really blew me away, as did stories of how he gives back to his community now. I was fortunate to be with some very inspiring leaders.
The distinction between aspiration and ambition was the clincher for me. It’s like the difference between a conviction and a moral preference. What a powerful image!
Thanks for sharing part of what I bet was an amazing event.
It’s interesting you say that because when you look up their definitions they are actually not that different. Yet, the feeling you get from each of them is very different, and I had the same reaction you did.
Thanks so much for your kind comment and I appreciate you sharing your perspective!
Great post! I totally agree. I think there is tremendous value for everyone, but especially leaders, to define your values. These are the things that make you who you are, and how you approach both work and life. Once you are able to recognize what they are, then define them, you can then make them front and center in every action you take. I encourage every leader to take the time to identify and define what your values are, then start living them!
Here are mine:
http://mikejensen.posterous.com/pages/core-values
Thank you, Mike! I think you raise a great point – actually defining them. I think for many of us this takes some serious thought to challenge ourselves and identify values that we make evident in our priorities!
Thanks so much for the comment and for taking the time to share your thoughts – I appreciate it and hope to see you at #LeadershipChat on Tuesday night! 🙂
Lisa this is so true. Upper level positions typically go through rigorous screening in the first place to identify much more than just skill sets. Who you are inside needs to shine. I absolutely love the quote from the CEO mentioned. I sat in on an interview yesterday and the simple question was asked “What goals do you have in your life right now?” I loved it because it made the discussion so beautiful.
Employment is so much more than just skills its perception, emotion and vision. Thanks for my beautiful morning read.
Jonathan, I just love that you saw the interview discussion as beautiful. Perhaps it’s because I don’t expect men to say something like that – which is entirely unfair of me! But I know you have a very deep soul – thanks for sharing part of it here!
Lisa,
I can only echo these sentiments without any reservation whatsoever. I hire on values and character above and beyond all other measures. Task competence can be trained and developed. Intellectual insight is in abundance (or so those that have it believe). Character and Values that stand head and shoulders above the crowd are … Well they are like very good friends – hard to find and impossible to forget.
Dan,
What a stunningly clear analogy in your last sentence – thank you for that. What strikes me is your assertion that they are hard to find. One would think that would not be the case and yet, I’m inclined to absolutely agree with you. Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Loved the post. Living our values makes for a much better business environment and a better world.
Thank you, Janice – and I absolutely agree with you! Thanks for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts. It’s much appreciated. Hope you’re enjoying the weekend. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this . Would like to recommend this boot camp to some CEO clients . Please post more information on your roll in this.
Hi Michael,
I’m the Co-Chairman of the Membership Committee – I’d be happy to talk with you about your clients. You can email me at Lisa.Petrilli@CEOConnection.com and we can take it from there. All the best!