Executive Leadership: How to Be an Effective Executive

Executive leadership is the ability of those at the top of an organization (also called the C-suite or senior executives) to guide their team toward a specific goal or operational method. You can measure the success of an executive leadership team both by how effective they are at problem-solving in the moment and their ability to develop and execute the kinds of initiatives that can take the organization to the next level.

Executive leadership requires sound, evidence-based decision-making and a commitment to self-development.

The leadership style employed by senior management typically relies on the process they use to make strategic decisions and how they prioritize the various parties involved in how the organization interacts with the world. There are many leadership theories and styles, but here are some of the most commonly recognized forms:

1. 1. Authentic leadership: Authentic leadership uses the senior leaders’ sense of purpose and values to shape organizational behavior. Those following an authentic leadership style rely on their business acumen and moral compass. With this method, it’s essential to understand what you stand for and use it as a guiding light to approach business challenges and help your employees develop their skills.
2. 2. Participative leadership: In this management style, managers invite their whole team into most decision-making processes. All team members receive information regarding company decisions and can provide input before leadership makes a final decision. Participative leadership styles can be more time-consuming than other leadership styles but can also lead to higher job satisfaction, employee retention, and greater teamwork in the workplace.
3. 3. Servant leadership: Servant leadership focuses on the customers and stakeholders the organization caters to. As a result, subscribers to the school of servant leadership will approach the professional development of their team with an eye toward a better understanding of what the customer wants and how the organization can service those wants. Those in leadership positions will rely on team members to communicate with customers and reach out themselves. Learn how to be a servant leader.

Since what constitutes good leadership is largely subjective, it can be hard to pin down exactly what defines an effective leader. These are some of the most common leadership skills of effective chief executives:

1. 1. Accountability: An effective leader builds trust and honesty within an organization by owning up to their missteps. They are acutely aware of their strengths and weaknesses and can adjust their approach accordingly.
2. 2. Collaborative attitude: Effective leaders know they don’t have all the answers, even if they might ultimately be decision-makers. They rely on teamwork and seek out opinions and data throughout the organization to guide their actions and behavior.
3. 3. Effective time management: Entrepreneurship can be demanding on one’s time and energy. That’s why effective executives build their days to reduce unproductive time and focus on the right priorities for the moment. They know which tasks to take on themselves and what’s best delegated or offloaded to others in the organization. They also hold productive meetings with clear agendas that the whole organization can use as a model for efficiency.
4. 4. Experience: If employees believe in a leader’s previous experience when faced with a challenge, they’ll likely be more motivated to contribute their own part to a plan.
5. 5. Flexibility: Without an adaptive take on the market or field they’re operating in, leaders risk becoming irrelevant or obsolete. Effective leaders can put aside their own biases and internalize developments in their business, whether that means effecting broad organizational change or enrolling in executive education on the individual level.
6. 6. Investment in company culture: A leader is responsible for establishing clear business goals (like growth and profit), but the effective executive must also foster a healthy atmosphere at work. Effective executives make sure employees are clear on management's expectations and know how to handle problems as they arise.

Here are some concrete ways to become more efficient and build a better organization.

1. 1. Develop and use clear action plans. An effective executive makes a thorough plan whenever possible, whether to address a problem or make the most of an opportunity. The prework of anticipating obstacles and determining the best path forward is just as important as the actual execution.
2. 2. Delineate and delegate responsibilities. Micromanagement is not a desirable trait for someone in a leadership role. Rather than constantly checking in on everything happening within their organization, effective executives delegate goals to a small group whose members they trust to carry out their part of the plan.
3. 3. Maintain communication. Communication involves maintaining regular meetings with direct reports and telegraphing to the organization what is going on and the way forward. Effective leaders strive to find a middle ground that empowers employees without overwhelming their inboxes.
4. 4. Focus on the present and the future. An executive who only focuses on putting out fires won’t be effective, in large part because it mires the organization in negativity. Instead, a good leader develops a vision for the future and a strategic plan to get there.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by business luminaries, including Bob Iger, Chris Voss, Robin Roberts, Sara Blakely, Daniel Pink, Howard Schultz, Anna Wintour, and more.