Not Just Numbers, CEOs Need to Grow Capabilities

Managing the present consumes a majority of the CEOs time. Chasing numbers, meeting revenue targets, managing resources, attending meetings, are all tasks that seek a CEO’s constant attention and engagements on a daily basis. Yet, effective CEOs, leading with purpose, think beyond growing numbers and business- to growing capabilities of people.

Though not tangible and immediate, impact of acquired capabilities is immense, in terms of building long-term organizational resilience and success.

Here are some of key capabilities CEOs can help grow in employees:

#Learning: In a knowledge economy, learning is linked with one’s ability to learn. Here merely “knowing” is not enough, “know-how” is equally vital. While making a sales pitch to customers, a sales person, for instance, learns their needs and perspectives, objections and dislikes, kind of competition etc. The learnings are invaluable, and if leveraged well, could result in greater future revenues.

CEOs can facilitate learning conversations by asking their employees to share their learnings in staff meetings. Best learning experiences should be valued and rewarded.

#Communicating: A good communication skill boosts an employee’s confidence. Fostering not only healthy interpersonal relations with co-workers, clients and other stakeholders, a good communication also helps in making effective presentations in business settings.

CEOs can consciously encourage their employees to speak up and express their views, concerns, and share feedback, and provide guidance on developing articulation or emotional intelligence. Employees may also be exposed to master storytelling sessions to enable them to craft impactful narratives.

#Risk-taking: The energy, initiative and drive of employees allow an organization to stay competitive, innovative, and forward-looking. When timed right, and taken with smart thinking, risk can become a tool for progress rather than something to avoid.

CEOs can empower employees with delegation and autonomy to give them sense of ownership and motivation to take decisions, and innovate. Reframing failures as valuable learning opportunities, not setbacks, can help cultivate a growth mindset in employees. CEOs openly discussing their own mistakes and sharing the insights gained from them, could also instill confidence to take up new challenges and measured risks.

#Team Building: Team bonding enhances collaboration, communication, trust, and increases employee morale and productivity. A cohesive team is better at brainstorming and finding solutions to problems and conflicts. Employees aligned around a shared purpose can see how their work moves the bigger mission forward.

Team building being key, CEOs can help it grow by scheduling regular activities that combine fun with problem-solving. Organizing team lunches, sports/outdoor adventures, celebrating birthdays/festivals together, and with families, help employees to connect on a personal level, and build strong teams.

#Strategic Thinking: Strategic thinking can be viewed as a skill or a quality. It is an ability to step back from the trees and see the forest. It is the capacity to lift one’s thinking above short-term goals and view long-range objectives.

CEOs can periodically expose employees to senior-level executives or mentors, for solution of their questions, and to understand broader context, and long-term implications of any issue.

Building right capabilities in employees early can also help grow leadership qualities in them, benefiting the organization with a valuable pool of human resource.