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As the pace of business accelerates, executive leadership skills that go beyond basic management are essential for companies aiming to stay competitive. The increasing complexity of the global business environment requires modern C-suite executives to have a versatile set of leadership skills to help their organizations adapt and thrive. For example, according to McKinsey & Co., CEOs’ actions account for 45% of a company’s performance, highlighting their critical role in adapting to changing business environments.

Before discussing specific executive leadership skills, it’s important to note the role that education plays in helping individuals prepare to become leaders in their organizations. For example, earning a business degree provides specialized training and practical skills tailored to modern markets, offering support and industry-tested knowledge to prepare students for executive roles. For individuals pursuing executive positions, a key step is to define executive leadership and examine the different types of leadership roles.

What Is Executive Leadership?

Executive leadership involves guiding an organization toward its goals by setting a vision, developing strategy, managing talent, and shaping culture. Executive leaders focus on long-term growth and align their teams to ensure organizational success.

Leadership styles vary across organizations. For example, so-called servant leadership prioritizes employees’ needs, growth, and development. In contrast, charismatic leadership leverages the leader’s personality and energy to inspire and motivate employees.

Executive Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

Executive leadership roles and titles can vary significantly. Each role is responsible for a specific area, whether overseeing the entire organization (CEO) or focusing on finance, operations, marketing, or technology.

The most common C-suite positions include the following:

• Chief executive officer (CEO)

• Chief financial officer (CFO)

• Chief operating officer (COO)

• Chief marketing officer (CMO)

• Chief information officer (CIO)

In terms of work environment, individuals in executive leadership positions often face significant pressure, long hours, and heavy workloads. They’re tasked with making quick decisions, often with incomplete information. Their executive skills and professional experience lead them to often make the right choices when it comes to team dynamics, business investments, and strategy.

Executive leaders’ success and well-being depend on their ability to develop and apply the right skills. These include managing risk, balancing competing priorities and perspectives, and building and leading high-performance teams.

9 Executive Leadership Skills

Management and leadership have distinct roles in business but often intersect. Leaders need management skills to run an organization effectively, while managers benefit from leadership qualities to inspire and motivate their teams. From emotional intelligence to visionary thinking, executive leadership skills are what help leaders guide their teams through challenges and toward success. Here are nine essential skills every executive should consider cultivating.

1. Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is an executive leadership skill that enables individuals to understand and manage their emotions, as well as those of others. For leaders, EQ is crucial for building trust and managing teams effectively. A key part of EQ is self-awareness, which helps leaders make better decisions and form stronger relationships.

2. Strategic Vision and Decision-Making

Effective executive leaders create a vision that unites the organization and sets a clear path forward. A strategic vision should be ambitious yet realistic, often focusing on a timeline of three to 10 years. Data-driven decision-making can improve organizational performance, as it helps leaders make choices grounded in evidence.

3. Effective Communication and Influence

Communication is about effectively sharing information and actively listening to and understanding a team’s needs. Leaders who listen build trust and engagement. They use storytelling techniques to explain complex ideas, make their message more relatable, and influence action.

4. Adaptability and Change Management

Leaders who embrace uncertainty and view change as an opportunity for growth are more resilient. Clear, transparent communication during times of change helps maintain team morale, and involving employees in the process can increase buy-in and engagement.

5. Building High-Performance Teams

Offering competitive salaries, flexible work options, and opportunities for growth can show employees that they’re valued. Beyond compensation and benefits, executive leaders need to know how to empower teams and foster a positive culture to attract and keep top talent.

6. Digital Literacy and Technological Acumen

Leaders don’t need to be technology experts—unless the leader is the CIO of an organization. However, even nontechnical C-suite executives must understand emerging technologies, data-driven tools, and cybersecurity trends to make informed decisions about moving their organizations forward.

7. Ethical Leadership and Social Responsibility

Modern leadership goes beyond profits. Ethical leaders prioritize sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, embedding these values into every level of decision-making. By fostering a socially responsible culture, leaders can enhance their companies’ reputation among employees, customers, and the general public.

8. Visionary Thinking and Strategic Planning

Visionary leaders look beyond the present to set a clear direction for the future. By analyzing trends, setting actionable goals, and strategically using resources, executive leaders ensure that their organizations stay competitive and future ready.

9. Developing a Growth Mindset

Leaders who embrace this mindset see challenges as opportunities. They take this mindset to foster a culture of continuous improvement. This mentality encourages innovation and keeps teams motivated to grow and evolve.

Benefits of Earning a Business Degree to Develop Leadership Skills

A business degree enhances leadership abilities by building skills in decision-making, strategic thinking, and problem-solving. These skills are crucial for career growth and adaptability, especially during economic downturns. Business graduates are better equipped to stay employed, as companies often seek strong managers to maintain stability in challenging times.

Types of Business Degrees

Various types of business degrees provide a solid foundation for career advancement in management or executive roles. Degree options tailored to different career paths include the following:

• Accounting: Focuses on financial management, auditing, and taxation

• Business Management: Emphasizes strategic leadership and operations

• Entrepreneurship: Prepares individuals to start and grow businesses

• Finance: Specializes in financial analysis, investment, and risk management

• Strategic Communications: Combines business strategy with effective communication

• Organizational Leadership: Focuses on inputs, outputs, structure, and task delegation to achieve organizational goals

Become a Business Leader

Change is a constant in today’s global business environment. This is why business management graduates are highly sought after—they have the executive leadership skills to navigate and lead in an evolving landscape. For individuals looking to adapt to new challenges and wanting to help organizations improve their success, earning a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from Wilson College Online’s business programs can be a steppingstone to advance in their careers. Choose from programs in accounting, business management, entrepreneurship, finance, strategic communications, and organizational leadership to help open doors for your career.

Explore how earning a degree from Wilson College Online can open new doors for your career.

Recommended Readings

Employee Engagement Tips for Business Managers

Accounting vs. Finance: Which Degree Should You Pursue?

How to Get Funding for a Startup

Sources:

Forbes, “11 Leadership Skills to Build in 2024 fr Executives and Emerging Leaders”

Forbes, “Five Ways to Be a Better Executive Leader”

Forbes, “10 Management Styles of Effective Leaders”

Harvard Business Review, “The C-Suite Skills That Matter Most”

LinkedIn, “7 Essential Skills of an Executive Leader”

McKinsey & Co., “What Makes a Successful CEO?”

TechTarget, “What Is Executive Leadership?”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Top Executives