CEO Perspective

The Simple Newsletter - Issue # 077

---

Adam's Thoughts

It's really hard to be the CEO.

Why?

Because most CEOs weren't hired to become CEOs.

They built the business.

They were the salesperson. The product developer. The technician. In many cases, they even delivered the product or service themselves.

They were everything.

The same thing happens at home.

They become the provider. The caretaker. The one who cuts the grass. Plans the vacations. Fixes the problems.

They're everything there, too.

This is why becoming the CEO is so difficult.

Tom and I have recognized this in so many of our new clients recently. And we're incredibly grateful they've trusted us to help them make that shift.

Because here's what we've learned:

Most people already know how to do the work.

What they're missing is what should be done... and why it should be done.

That's a completely different perspective.

---

Adam's Lessons

Perspective changes everything.

When you're running a business, it's easy to make decisions from the role you've always played.

You make decisions like the salesperson.

Or the marketer.

Or the technician.

Or the financial person.

But that's not how a CEO thinks.

A CEO doesn't make decisions as one department.

A CEO makes decisions for all of them.

The CEO decides the direction.

Then each department executes the tactics.

Think about it.

When your salesperson shows up to work, they shouldn't spend half the day deciding what the company should do.

They should sell.

When your marketing person shows up, they shouldn't be determining the company's vision.

They should market.

When your operations person shows up, they shouldn't be deciding where the business is headed.

They should operate.

The CEO's responsibility is different.

The CEO creates clarity.

The CEO determines direction.

The CEO aligns every role toward one destination.

And even if every one of those roles is still you...

You have to mentally separate them.

When you're acting as the salesperson...

Just sell.

When you're acting as the marketer...

Just market.

When you're acting as the manager...

Just manage.

Make the decisions once...

Then execute them without reopening the debate every time you switch hats.

That's when progress accelerates.

That's why becoming the CEO feels so difficult at first.

It's a complete shift in perspective.

But once that shift happens...

It becomes surprisingly simple.

Just like we've always said:

Business is simple. It's just not easy.

And becoming the CEO is simply the highest expression of that philosophy.

See you next Saturday,

-Adam

To learn more about how to Become The CEO click here