Those habits books that were all the rage a couple of decades ago are sorely outdated. Nowadays, CEO’s and other business leaders need fresh skills that get the job done in a highly technological, fast-paced environment. Sure, some of the old standbys still apply, like setting priorities, listening to others, planning, and more. Today’s high-level operatives need more than the basic tool box. They need the right set of specialized talents to be competitive in a global economy that relies more and more on machine input, like AI, and other non-human components. Here’s a short list of habits you should consider developing if you wish to remain at the top of your field.
Adaptability
Never before has there been a demand for managers who can adapt to changing conditions. Look at any of the newer markets, like cryptocurrency, financial tech, advanced pharmaceuticals, alt-fuel vehicles, and others. It’s a long list, and all the sectors and niches on it call for massive amounts of adaptability for managers.
Valuing Credentials
If you didn’t finish college, now is the time, no matter what your age. Unless you’re nearing retirement, having a relevant credential is a necessity in the digital workplace. This is especially true for leaders and managers, to whom other workers look for patterning and examples. If you feel the need for a graduate degree, like and MBA or a technical specialty, arrange for financing and begin the coursework. Fortunately, you can take out a student loan from a private lender and get competitive rates and reasonable terms. It’s a wise way to take education to the next level and get a degree that adds to your list of accomplishments. Plus, mid-career degrees aren’t just for show. They can add vast amounts of knowledge to your growing repertoire within your chosen field.
Patience
Are you a patient person? If not, take one of the tailor-made online courses that can teach just about anyone to cultivate this personal quality. Why is patience so vital in a lightning-fast commercial universe? Company leaders and supervisors at high levels need to deal with workers who don’t stay in entry jobs as long as they used to. Being patient is an essential part of training and working with new people who might not have the background and dedication to a career path that was common just a decade ago.
The Ability to Delegate
In the 2020’s, teamwork is not just a goal, it’s a fact of life. The vast majority of lower and mid-level corporate decisions are made by teams rather than individuals. Not long ago, companies that used the team approach for all kinds of projects were rare. Now, solo decision making is uncommon. That means even managers and CEO’s need to delegate more than ever. If you feel squeamish giving away some of your authority, work on delegation skills and attitudes one project at a time. Eventually, you want to get to a place where you feel fully comfortable turning over large pieces of major projects to others, even when you know you could do the task better and faster.
