Being CEO Is a Practice, Not a Position

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that being a CEO isn’t a job title—it’s a way of being. It’s a discipline, a set of commitments, and often, a lonely but transformative journey. It’s less about having the right answers, and more about cultivating the ability to listen deeply, think systemically, and act in alignment with what matters most.

Here’s a distilled list of what I’ve seen work across some of the most grounded and growth-oriented CEOs I’ve coached, researched or collaborated with. These are not prescriptions—they’re provocations. Take what fits, adapt what doesn’t. And if anything resonates, I’d love to swap notes. 👇

1. Choose the CEO Mindset Daily Resilience is built over time. It starts with naming what’s true, especially when it’s uncomfortable. I encourage leaders to pause and ask: What decision am I postponing, and what would change if I faced it today? This is the heart of conscious leadership: owning our stories, and rewriting the parts that no longer serve.

2. Build Teams That Build the Business Culture isn't free snacks or all-hands—it’s how we hire, onboard, and grow people. Clear roles, accountability without blame, and real-time feedback loops create trust. High-performance teams are not born—they’re built, intentionally and iteratively.

3. Treat Time as Energy Time is finite, but energy is renewable—if you know how to manage it. Weekly “sense checks” help me see where I’m overextended, what I’m avoiding, and where I need to recommit or release. I use a mix of calendar audits, decision logs, and sometimes just long walks without a device.

4. Use Tools That Work for You I don’t believe in tool worship. Use what you and your team will actually adopt. What matters most is creating visibility, reducing friction, and making collaboration feel light. What’s worth tracking is worth simplifying.

5. Lead by Example, Not by Persona Your values are not what you say—they’re what your team sees. From the tone of your messages to the way you show up in a crisis, everything communicates. Rituals—like reflection time, team check-ins, or just showing up consistently—are the real culture.

6. Learn Like It’s Your Edge I treat learning as an operating rhythm, not an afterthought. Whether it’s exploring new frameworks, reflecting with other founders, or reading about unfamiliar domains, staying curious is non-negotiable. Your growth sets the ceiling for your company’s growth.

7. Ask the Questions That Shift the Room “What are we pretending not to know?” “Where is energy leaking in our system?” “What’s trying to emerge that we haven’t named yet?” Asking better questions opens up space for insight and innovation. Don’t rush to fix. Listen long enough for the deeper pattern to reveal itself.

8. Make Space for Self-Reflection I journal each week—not just to track wins or failures, but to notice patterns. A few prompts I return to:

• Where did I lead from fear this week?

• What am I holding onto that’s no longer mine to carry?

• What part of our culture needs tending right now?

9. Clarify, Then Co-Create Define roles, yes—but leave space for people to shape them. Clarity without rigidity. I often use whiteboards over org charts, and stories over SOPs. The goal isn’t control—it’s coherence.

10. Build a Learning Organization Systems thinking is my default lens. Whether mapping team dynamics or surfacing unseen interdependencies, I’ve found it invaluable to step back and ask: Are we solving symptoms or systems? When leaders model learning, the organization follows.

11. Let Your Bio Reflect Your Becoming Your professional bio should reflect who you’re becoming, not just what you’ve done. It should point to your principles, your journey, and the values that shape your decisions. If yours feels outdated, maybe it’s time to write a new one.

12. Coach with Structure and Soul I don’t use a fixed model. My coaching draws from systems thinking, lived experience, and deep listening. Some conversations need frameworks, others just need space. Either way, follow-through matters. Insight without action is entertainment.

If any of this speaks to where you are—or where you want to be—drop me a note. I’m always curious to learn from fellow travelers on this leadership path.