What makes a successful CEO? Is there a secret sauce or recipe – call it an X-factor?
That was the question author KC Rottok Chesaina set out to investigate for his new book, The CEO X-Factor, Secrets for Success from South Africa’s Top Money Makers. Along the way he spoke to some of South Africa’s top CEOs, and he discussed the book with some of them at GIBS.
“While you may start out in a leadership role with preconceived ideas, you realise quickly that the CEO in fact works for everyone else. It is less about you, and rather about creating a conducive environment that allows others to bring the best version of themselves to work every day,” PwC Africa CEO Dion Shango told the forum.
Chesaina’s own view is that “ascending to the top echelons of success requires a distinctive character, straightforward strategies, a genuine concern for people, and a value-driven approach.”
The role of the CEO
“A CEO has to give people confidence and allow them to make mistakes,” Sandra Crous, CEO of online payroll solutions company Payspace, said. “You must have passion and energy, but also be able to control your own emotions, be steady and keep the calm in the business.”
Former CEO of Munich Re Southern Africa and of Sanlam Emerging Markets, Junior Ngulube, explained that it is not the role of the CEO to “preside over the inevitable,” but rather set the course for the organisation. “When you are appointed in the position of CEO, you have to define a future direction for the business and communicate it to your colleagues. In order to be a good leader, you don’t need to be a specialist, but rather build up new competencies as you go along.”
