CEO: a Role in Transition

The Chief Executive Officer holds a pivotal position within any organization. Armed with solid skills in marketing, management, and finance, the CEO takes charge of the company’s strategy and guarantees its seamless operation.

Well, that’s the job description “on paper”.

In reality, however, the role of the CEO goes far beyond that of a strategist. With the changing place of work in employees’ lives and the development of technologies like AI, the CEO has to adapt to a new deal.

Let’s dive into what it means to be a CEO today.

Integrating New Technologies Into Your Strategy

Nowadays, digital technology is increasingly incorporated into business practices and tools.

Dedicated employee interfaces, digital organization tools, teleconferencing, and telecommuting are just some of the innovations that have now been adopted by most CEOs and have contributed to greater flexibility and improved profitability.

AI tools can now support CEOs in their strategic planning and decision-making. Their ability to collect, analyze, and interpret large amounts of data in a short space of time makes them excellent assistants in making informed choices.

From Artificial Intelligence To… CEO

In recent years, however, new technologies have made another quantum leap with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). In particular, AI has entered the world of decision-making positions, as illustrated by Mika, the first AI CEO to be developed in 2023 by the Polish group Dictador.

So, although humans will continue to lead the way, today’s CEOs must take these new technologies into account and see them as valuable technological aids.

Supporting New Practices

The beginning of the 2020s, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, has witnessed a profound change in people’s relationship with work.

Employees aspire to a better work-life balance and to feel good at work. These new expectations have given rise to new HR practices, such as employee centricity, which places the employee at the heart of the company’s concerns. Companies that have adopted this approach include Microsoft, which emphasizes a sense of community within its teams through transparent and effective communication.

More say in decision-making, emphasis on break times, opportunities for exchange between managers and employees, even horizontalization of hierarchies… Today, it’s all about putting people back at the heart of the company to foster the most positive experience possible.

And this is backed by statistics. For instance, McKinsey & Company stresses the importance of focusing on bold strategies, organizational alignment, management of the executive team, and working closely with the board of directors.

Developing and Strengthening Soft Skills

In 2024, the CEO’s role and skills are extending beyond just professional expertise. CEOs also need to master behavioral and human skills, often referred to as soft skills.

As supervisor and liaison between the different parts of the company, the CEO must be able to communicate effectively and humanely.

Some soft skills examples: 

• Leadership
• Strategic thinking
• Adaptability
• Decisiveness
• Integrity and ethics
• Emotional intelligence
• Resilience

Striking the right balance between firmness and kindness, the ability to motivate teams, and exceptional communication skills are critical attributes for this influential role. For instance, Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, champions empathy as a fundamental trait in both business and personal interactions.

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We trust this piece has offered a glimpse into the evolving role of CEOs by 2024. Consider leveraging the expertise of seasoned professionals for your next CEO recruitment. At radar, we are here to deploy our expertise, helping you uncover exceptional talent and seamlessly integrating them into your organization.

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