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If you’ve gone to school for business, there’s little doubt that you have your eye on the prize. No one wants to be stuck in the mail room for the rest of their career; it only makes sense that you’re aiming for the top. While not everyone makes it as a CEO, there are things that every CEO has in common. If you’re goal is to break through the glass ceiling, here are five qualities that you must possess:
1.Confidence
If you don’t have confidence in yourself and your abilities, no one else will. Never think that you can’t get the job done, you can’t get the promotion or you can’t be a leader. Remember that you aren’t second to anyone; if you feel as though you are being held back, look in the mirror. You’ve done a lot with your life and you’ve had many successes so have confidence that your skills and experience will help push you up the ladder.
2.Persistence
Anyone who has made it to the head of a company has done so because they didn’t take “no” for an answer. If you want to make it as a CEO, you’ve got to be ready to knock on doors more than once. If you don’t get the answer that you were hoping for, ask the question in a different way or ask someone else. If you aren’t prepared to do it what it takes to get the answers and results that you’re looking for, you’ll never make it at the top.
3.Honesty
When you’re a CEO, your reputation is everything. People that work for you and with you should be able to put their complete trust in you. If your co-workers, supervisors and clients don’t feel as though they can count on your word, you’ll never climb the ladder. Resist the urge to partake in office gossip and be honest about any mistakes that you make. You’ll find that the more people trust you, the faster you rise to the top.
4.Cooperation
Being the boss doesn’t mean that you never have to work as part of a team again. People want to work for someone who isn’t afraid to get down and dirty in the trenches. The best CEOs are those that don’t forget where they came from, and those who aren’t afraid to complete tasks that are beneath them if it helps the team. If cooperation isn’t your strong suit, it’s time to brush up on this important attribute.
5.Positivity
Have you ever worked for a boss that walked through the office as though the world was on his or her shoulders? No one wants a boss who has a negative attitude. Not only does that attitude rub off on everyone else in the office, it makes you unapproachable. If you want to find success as a CEO, make sure that you keep your attitude in check and upbeat.
If you want to be a CEO, you’ve got to have the right stuff. If you’re still in school, you have time to develop the quality attributes that every CEO possesses. Start researching what it takes to be a great boss, develop your skills and you’re sure to be ready to lead the troops by the time you graduate.
Nancy Meyers writes for educational sites. Find a list of the highest paying jobs for Business Majors online.