1. Good listeners. Outstanding CEOs have to be fully present and in the moment. “Great CEOs are most effective when actively engaged,” Mr. Kellman says. “They listen to all levels of the organization. They can make the least senior-level person the most important person in the room.”
2. Consensus builders. Rather than simply imposing a plan, these CEOs bring out the best ideas of everyone in the room. In this way, the whole group is more likely to find the best solution and everyone becomes an active participant in making the plan work.
3. Good ambassadors. This kind of CEO interacts with the larger world as the voice of the institution, relating to a wide range of people. It’s essential to know how to relate to individuals from all walks of life, including the public, foreign visitors, board members and students.
4. Radiate charisma. These CEOs are able to get people to work for the organization because they want to, not because they have to. “This distinction makes the whole institution function more smoothly and attain higher achievements than it otherwise would,” Mr. Kellman says. “People want to be part of the mission and make a difference.”
5. Possess altruism. These are CEOs who are concerned about the welfare of others. They do the right thing, based on the circumstance. “They put the institution and the welfare of employees and patients first,” Mr. Kellman says.
6. Have a moral compass. They possess strong values and have no difficulty doing the right thing. They are transparent, authentic and grounded. They do to have to think twice about what is the right thing to do.
7. Take on challenges. This breed of CEO confronts difficult choices such as selling a hospital or other asset, closing down a program or downsizing. Realizing the best strategic plan is one that can endure economic change, they move forward into uncharted territory.
8. Learn from mistakes. They know how to back off from a failed program and move on. They can quickly recover and redirect efforts to align the institution for success. This quality is essential for these unpredictable times.
9. Lead with vulnerabilities. These CEOs don’t hide their weak spots. This takes a lot of self-confidence. “It might be an unusual trait to be on a list like this, but I believe this is an added dimension for a CEO to have,” Mr. Kellman says.
10. Select the right team. They select highly qualified executives who fit the organization’s specific values. The executives they choose do not simply have a good track record; their outlook and skills mesh with those of the institute.
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