An executive is someone who has a managerial responsibility in an organization. They are in charge of decision-making, planning, directing, and controlling the company. These people hold high positions in the corporate hierarchy, and they oversee numerous people. They should also have an exceptional set of qualities to keep the company going. An executive is a leader that should have the ability to make a company more successful.
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Management styles change over the years. This is because corporate culture also changes, and different generations have different mindsets. The new generation of Gen Zs and Millennials compose a significant number of the workforce. They have a different approach towards working and learning. Thus, previous management systems may not be effective in handling new types of problems.
How to become a better executive in 2022?
Times are changing fast, even in corporations. Technology is also fast-paced and advancing rapidly. Market trends are also changing over the years. Businesses that are considered profitable before may experience a decline in the coming years. Thus, an executive must also be adaptable and dynamic.
- Exceptional executives keep a firm grip on the ever-changing environment in which their company operates. Their natural contextual intelligence is based on insights on how their company competes and earns money, as well as what is most important to the people they serve, even when those customers may not be aware of it.
- Vetter leaders have a thorough understanding of how the many parts of the company work together to create value and produce outcomes. Many C-suite executives come from backgrounds in marketing or finance, and they rely too much on instincts and cognitive biases developed during their careers in those fields.
They also concentrate on strengthening the organization’s seams in order to reduce poor coordination and fragmentation while maximizing the things that the company must perform in competitively different ways.
Every company has executives who everyone aspires to work for. If you want to become a better executive, you should build strong relationships with your superiors, colleagues, and direct reports, as well as research and address the demands of important stakeholders. - These exectuives establish mutually beneficial, trusted connections through communicating in engaging ways that go beyond mere commerce. Their legacy will be a great reputation within the company for regularly producing outcomes while actually caring about the people who provide them.
Here are 5 ways to become a better executive in 2022:
1. Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving is a skill that allows you to make decisions to solve problems. Various problems may occur in a company. Those problems may be about different aspects of management. Thus, an executive must have good problem-solving skills and knowledge to handle such dilemmas.
Your problem-solving skills in business may be improved by clearly identifying the cause of the problem. Then you can focus on solution-based approaches to solve them. As an executive, you must have concrete plans to address and mitigate them.
2. Ask For Advice
The perfect executive doesn’t exist. There will always be points for improvement, and you will always encounter a challenge that may seem impossible to solve. However, your desire to be a better leader must not be hindered by these obstacles.
You can always ask for advice from seniors who had the same position as you. It’s also recommended to ask colleagues for feedback and advice. Moreover, you can try to consult executive leadership coaching firms for a more professional approach to executive management.
3. Learn How To Motivate People to Become a Better Executive
A good leader must be an overall people person. They must know how to motivate people to work hard for the company.
There are many ways in which you can motivate people. One way is to set an example for them to follow. Leading by example is one of the classic ways to make people work harder.
You can also give words of affirmation to employees, especially if they are mostly from the younger generation. Studies show that employees still need to hear words of encouragement from superiors to be more motivated. Try to give pep talks once in a while. A little compliment won’t hurt.
4. Practice Good Communication With Employees
Communication is the process of receiving and relaying information. It’s always important to have good communication in business.
Interpersonal communication promotes collaboration and teamwork. It also builds trust and loyalty among colleagues. It also encourages critical thinking and innovation in the company. Furthermore, good communication lessens conflicts within the company.
Good communication can be practiced by setting inclusive goals and clear targets. You should effectively list expected outputs. Concrete rules and policies should also be relayed to everyone in the office.
Moreover, your communication lines should always be open so employees can reach out for concerns. Some executives tend to be out of reach to their employees which is not a good characteristic of an executive.
5. Transparency Is Key
Honesty is the best policy, especially in the workplace. Transparency means being honest and transparent to your partners, customers, and employees.
You should always be open about business operations. A good executive also must not hide crucial information from subordinates. Be honest about everything that happens around the company.
Problems must not be hidden so everyone can work toward them. Everyone should always be open to feedback and constructive criticisms. There should be transparency, especially in the financial aspects of the company.
Being A Better Executive
Corporate cultures change over time. This is because technology, market trends, and even mindsets of people change. Management practices should also always adapt to changes. Thus, a good executive must possess traits that would allow him/her to make a business grow.
There are many ways in which you can become a better executive. But it’s always important to take note that problems will always arise no matter how hard you try. Just remember to do your research and make an effort so you can improve in what you do.
Irwin Michael Reston is an expert who has more than 30 years of experience in optimizing businesses, inspiring individuals and improving human resources departments. He established the BlueLight Consulting Limited to provide learning and training service worldwide.