Do You Have The Five Traits CEOs Want In Their Leaders?
Increasingly, leadership has become a major driver of, and is considered critical to, an organisation’s performance and success
(Dongen 2014; Gaddis & Foster 2015; Goldberg 2017; Hughes, Ginnett & Curphy 2015; Roberts 2015; Seidle, Fernandez & Perry 2016)
In a survey conducted by the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), only 13% of senior executives indicated that they had confidence in up-and-coming new leaders
(CEB n.d., cited in Fernandez-Araoz, Roscoe & Aramaki 2017)
What's worse is that between 33% and 61% of leaders are considered as acting in a manner that is described as ‘destructive’
(Aasland, Skogstad, Notelaers, Nielsen, & Einarsen, 2010, cited in Gaddis & Foster 2015)

Which is why CEOs and other C-Suite executives are looking for that breed of leader who is capable of acting differently, who can think differently, who can lead differently… and who can make their organisation more profitable, more relevant, more dynamic, and more responsive than ever.
The First Question Is: “Are You That Leader?”
The Second Question Is: “Do You Want To Be That Leader?”
The Third Question Is: “How Can You Become That Leader?”
So, What Are The Five Traits CEOs Are Looking For In Their Leaders?
A world-wide survey of 11,000 C-Suite executives in 2018 identified the five most desired traits CEOs wanted in their leaders… traits they are looking for but are finding hard to match. Which means their are opportunities for those outstanding leaders who can meet their needs.
As to the qualities most needed in their leaders, CEOs rated their top five required leader traits as:
- strategic thinkers;
- highly adaptable;
- entrepreneurial;
- inspiring and engaging; and
- emotionally intelligent.
On this though, HR and those delivering leadership development within organisations were somewhat at odds with the CEOs, rating those same required leader traits differently with: inspiring and engaging at (1), highly adaptable (2), emotionally intelligent (3), strategic thinkers (4) and entrepreneurial (7).
So, while HR are focused on developing leaders who are inspiring, engaging and emotionally intelligent, CEOs want strategic thinkers who are entrepreneurial and highly adaptable
Four years ago, Foundation Road recognised the emergence of this need to develop strategically thinking, highly adaptable, entrepreneurial and inspiring leaders who rate high in emotional intelligence, which is exactly why we developed, and are continuing to develop, the suite of strategically focused leader and leadership programs that they now offer to you and other leaders in Australia, New Zealand and USA.
And right now you have the opportunity to become one of the first to discover what it takes to become an Entrepreneurial Leader in a special introductory-priced one-day event in a city near you, with Australia’s own ‘Billion-Dollar Entrepreneurial Leader’ in the first of our Mastering Leadership for the Future series of events and workshops that are focused on developing the leaders CEOs want and need for now and the future.
The Question Is, Do You Want To Be That Leader?
What Does That Mean For Your Career As A Leader?
As the survey showed, CEOs are looking for leaders who, in addition to being entrepreneurial, are strategic in the way they think, are highly adaptable, inspiring and engaging and emotionally intelligent. But what does all of that really mean?
The world in which businesses operate is changing faster than ever before in history. Where once change occurred over several generations, in today’s world, disruptive change occurs in less than a decade. And that level of change demands a new type of leader. The type of leader CEOs are looking for… they’re needing… they’re wanting – but are struggling to find.
CEOs realise that a world that changes as quickly as it is requires leaders who are different to those of the past. They are looking for those leaders who are proactive, who can see the future and who can ensure their organisation is a market leader, not a market follower.
They want leaders who have experience, who have achieved results and who are not fearful of making and owning mistakes. Because successful CEOs realise that mistakes are a sign of a willingness to take a risk, to be different. They understand that owning those mistakes is a sign of a leaders strength of character – a tool for learning how to do even better. They know it takes courage to be willing to take a risk that lead to success.
CEOs want leaders who are current with and can adapt quickly to changes in technology and use the most current and relevant way to get their products and services in front of the people that count – their customers.
They want leaders who can think outside the square yet can still make the right decisions at the right time and for the right reasons.
They want leaders who can think and act like an entrepreneur while working within the organisation to bring everyone on the journey with them. They want leaders who are champions of change, who are examples of the very best, who lead from the front, who build trust and are respected.
Be that leader and you become a leader in demand. Be that leader and you become the most valuable leader on the block. Become that leader and you become the leader who never has to question their future. Become that leader and you become the leader of leaders.
The Question Is, Are You That Leader?
What Type Of Leader Is It That CEOs Don't Want In The C-Suite?
One thing is certain, successful CEOs don’t want ‘baby sitters’ as their C-Suite champions.
What do they mean by ‘baby sitters’? These are those important leaders who ensure that what needs to be done gets done within the business. They are the leaders who ensure that the strategic plans of organisation are implemented and that their teams achieve the results they are expected to deliver on.
They look after their team. They guide their team. They maintain the very best of standards and service delivery. In effective they ensure the decisions of the C-Suite executive are implemented and made a reality.
The new leader goes beyond that, and is one who can ensure that what needs to be done is done - but at the same time they are business builders, not maintainers. They are visionary, not followers. They are change champions, not just change implementers. They are entrepreneurial not acceptors of the things that are. They are definitely not a babysitter.

You’re Here, Reading This Because You Know That Nothing Can Stop You From Being The Best Leader That You Can Be!
Your journey to being the great leader you are meant to be begins right now. You can discover what it takes to become an Entrepreneurial Leader in our special introductory-priced one-day event in a city near you, with Australia’s own ‘Billion-Dollar Entrepreneurial Leader’.
By registering NOW, you will save over 75% on our normal workshop pricing
But we can only hold that pricing for those who register before 30 June 2019.
What's The Difference Between An Entrepreneurial Leader and An Entrepreneur?
There’s really not that much difference between the qualities needed in being an entrepreneur and those in being an entrepreneurial leader.
The key difference between being an entrepreneur and being an entrepreneurial leader is that:
- an entrepreneur is someone who invests their own time, effort and money in taking their own ideas and concepts to the market that create their own brand and reputation and that creates profits for their own organisation; while
- an entrepreneurial leader is someone who invests their time and effort in taking ideas and concepts to the market that create or enhance the brand and reputation and increases the profits and return to the shareholders of the organisation they work for.
Is it any wonder then why CEOs are so wanting for leaders who go beyond ordinary and who can be the entrepreneur within?
As an Entrepreneurial Leader, you have to think differently to other leaders. You have to act differently. You have to be entrepreneurial in what you do and how you do it.
That is what this special event is all about. To give you an insight into what it takes for you to become an Entrepreneurial Leader in your own right.
The fact is, it can be done. The fact is, it’s not easy. The fact is, it will take an extraordinary level of idea creation way beyond what most people are willing to do.
But that’s what makes an Entrepreneurial Leader so extra-ordinary!
It takes courage to act when you're not absolutely certain of the results. But being an entrepreneurial leader is not about certainty. It’s about taking a calculated risk – to challenge the world to prove you wrong in the pursuit of the things you believe in.

The Entrepreneurial Leader:
- Has a strong commitment to innovation;
- Is competitive and driven by results and rewards;
- Has an appetite for well thought out and researched risk;
- Is adaptable and ready to change course when faced with sudden change within their organisation;
- Is resilient and tenacious;
- Is an influencer and communicates the vision of possibility;
- Challenges the status quo in preparing for the future; and
- Is world-aware, Visionary, flexible and adaptable.
The Question Is, How Do You Become The Entrepreneurial Leader That CEOs Want?
Here’s a bit of what you’ll discover at the “How To Create Your Future As An Entrepreneurial Leader” workshops:
- Your entrepreneurial leader journey starts with a commitment to act;
- Entrepreneurial leaders recognise talent;
- Entrepreneurial leaders don’t work to a clock;
- Entrepreneurial leaders are never afraid to aim for the impossible on the path to greatness;
- Entrepreneurial leaders understand the need to fail;
- Entrepreneurial leaders can never think like anyone else and so much more, including;
- Entrepreneurial leaders work at being the very best they can be.
What Is The Special Offer?
Take Your Leadership Leap Into 2020
This July through to November, Foundation Road will be holding specially priced one-day “How To Create Your Future As An Entrepreneurial Leader” workshops across Australia and New Zealand.
Your facilitator for these events will be Australia’s own ‘Billion-Dollar Entrepreneurial Leader’ who, in only a three year period, led his team to achieving a billion dollars in growth and market-shaking dominance against five well established branded corporations – with no TV, Radio or Internet marketing.
By attending, you will be one of the first to discover what it takes to become the Entrepreneurial Leader CEOs are so desperate to find.
By registering NOW, you will save over 75% on our normal workshop pricing
Foundation Road are giving you an opportunity to experience what it takes to be an entrepreneurial leader at a price we can’t believe we are daring to make – usually our standard one-day workshop fee would be $1,858. Forget that!
We’re not even going to offer you this special event at our lowest priced super-early-bird rate of $598. Our offer is even better than that.
We really want you to experience what it takes to be an entrepreneurial leader.
We want you to be the leader that others aspire to be.
Which is why we are making this extraordinary offer.
Register before 30 June 2019 for our one-day “How To Create Your Future As An Entrepreneurial Leader” events that will be held between July and November 2019 and you will only need to invest $397 (ex-GST) in your future – that’s a $1,400 saving.
But it can’t last. This price won’t last beyond 30 June 2019.
Register before 31 May 2019 and we’ll make the offer even better for you.
Of course, you can still register after 30 June 2019, it’s just that you won’t save like you would by registering by then.
After 30 June 2019 we’ll be going back to our standard pricing schedule. So don’t miss out on this special saving.
Register now to save over $1,400 on this workshop that could define your leadership career.
LET"S MAKE OUR OFFER EVEN BETTER:
Invest in your leadership future before 31 May 2019 and you'll receive a bonus 90 minute coaching session - FREE - valued at $1,252

What Else Can I Do To Become The Invaluable Leader That CEOs Will Employ?
CEOs are looking for leaders who, in addition to being entrepreneurial, are strategic in the way they think, are highly adaptable, inspiring and engaging and emotionally intelligent. But what does all of that really mean?
The Strategic-Thinking Leader
Great Leaders think differently. They look beyond the here-and-now to the there-and-how. They provide a picture of the future that guides their teams to a greater purpose and defined future outcomes that are tied to the every-day deliverables. They give life to a vision, returns on investments and motivation for growth. They understand the importance of targets and of bringing everyone on a journey to success. The Strategic Thinking Leader:
- Understands the importance and value of an aligned strategic approach to future operations;
- Understands the process of identifying and maximising long-term stakeholder value;
- Takes a strategic approach to everything they and their teams do in order to achieve a competitive advantage;
- Implements a strategic value creation mindset across all team and stakeholder operations;
- Understands the role of the Leader as a key influencer of change and strategic value creation; and
- Aligns the operational outcomes of their division with the strategic purpose of the organisation.


The Highly Adaptable Leader
Adaptable Leaders act differently.They are adaptable to change and capable of steering change and responding to change. As a leader, you are given the responsibility of maximising the success of your organisation in a rapidly changing future. An adaptable leader is required to have a vision and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and to execute with confidence. The remain calm when those around them are flustered. The display strength in overcoming. The Highly Adaptable Leader:
- Is calm under duress, being the rock that others look up to;
- Is open minded and positive about initiatives;
- Understands the value their vision has in guiding others in achieving success even in fast changing situations;
- Is an early adopter;
- Adapts to changing situations
- Is willing to get out of their own comfort zone;
- Avoid over-reliance on assumptions and act on sound facts, not beliefs;
- Understands the importance of being decisive, of being self-aware; and
- Thinks outside the square and prepares for events unforeseen.
The Inspirational Leader
Inspirational Leaders are different. They inspire people to achieve even greater levels of the team performance that leads to success. They take people on a journey to be something greater than themselves. They bring together diverse groups of individuals and get them to set aside their differences and unite them in pursuit of a common goal. They deliver their message in a clear, precise and powerful manner that influences others to believe that the impossible is, in fact, possible. The Inspirational Leader:
- Is passionate about their team and their achievements;
- Promotes their team’s success and shows gratitude towards their team;
- Takes a visionary view towards their strategic goals as they lead their team to achieve a competitive advantage;
- Has the ability to lead others by motivating them to strive for the exceptional rather than simply acting on orders delivered from on-high;
- Is persistent, trustworthy, honourable, compassionate and self-aware;
- Is values driven, authentic, acts with integrity and takes responsibility for their own actions and those of their team;
- Is optimistic, unselfish, assertive, passionate, purposeful, persuasive and self-actualised;
- Is future looking and committed to success with a hunger to achieve;
- Has the ability to lead people in tough times as well as the easier-to-manage good times;
- Empowers others to achieve the strategic outcomes of the organisation.
- Gives voice to a vision of what can be and understand the personal power that comes from delivering a clear, directed and strategically focused message; and
- Brings people together in a common purpose that is greater than themselves.


The Emotional-Intelligent Leader
Emotionally Intelligent Leaders stand out as great leaders. Emotionally Intelligent leaders recognise the importance of understanding their own ability to lead others; they are reflective and in-touch with their own ability to work well with others, to manage stress and to make the best decisions in even the most difficult of situations. They recognise and understand their own emotions and those of others, while being able to distinguish between emotional information and fact in order to give the right guidance to their thinking. The Emotional Intelligent Leader:
- Understands the importance of having a high degree of self- awareness;
- Displays a high degree of adaptability and self-regulation;
- Leads with integrity, optimism, empathy, curiosity and passion;
- Acts in a way that does not compromise their values;
- Has a strong desire to help others succeed as well as to walk a path of continuous self-improvement;
- Anticipates how people could react to situations and prepares for those reactions;
- Stays in control of their actions, reactions and emotions and avoids making rushed or highly emotional decisions; and
- Has a keen awareness of the emotions that drive people’s behaviour and the impact those emotions – good or not so good – have on people, especially when under pressure to deliver results.
Before You Go........
By registering NOW, you will save over 75% on our normal workshop pricing
Foundation Road really want you to be the leader that other leader that others aspire to be. We want you to be the leader that CEOs need. We want you to secure the future of your leadership career – where your reputation for outstanding success makes you a person who is hunted as a leader of leaders.
Which is why we are making this extraordinary offer.
Register before 30 June 2019 for our one-day “How To Create Your Future As An Entrepreneurial Leader” events that will be held between July and November 2019 and you will only need to invest $397 (ex-GST) in your future – that’s a $1,400 saving.
But it can’t last. This price won’t last beyond 30 June 2019.
Register before 31 May 2019 and we’ll make the offer even better for you by giving you a FREE 90 minute coaching session valued at $1,252.
Is your future worth one day of your time?
Could you gain from a free 90 minute coaching session?
If you say yes to those questions than act now before the offer expires.
We really hope to see you there.
After 30 June 2019 you can still register for the workshops, but we will be going back to our standard pricing schedule. So don’t miss out on this special saving. Register now to save over $1,400 on this workshop that could define your leadership career.
Register For Events: Where and When?
A Few Things You Should Know:
- Foundation Road Workshops must be paid for in full prior to attending. Payments can be made by credit card at the time of registering. Invoices can be issued to ABN holders in lieu of direct payment at the time of registration, with payment received no later than 5 business days prior to the event.
- Workshops are subject to minimum registrations in order to proceed. Attendees will be notified within 7 working days of a workshop cancellation or change of date. Registered attendees will be given the option to transfer to another workshop/date or receive a 100% refund of any fees paid.
- Registration does not include any attendee ancillary costs, such as accommodation, airfares, meals etc., of attending the workshop, even in the event of a workshop being cancelled or deferred to a later date for any reason.
- Full terms and conditions, refund policy and privacy conditions available at time of registration or at www.foundationroad.com