LGC Future Leaders’ Network

Career Progression

So you want to be a Chief Executive?

• What does a good Chief Executive look like?• What do Elected Members look for?• What can you do now?

The Anatomy of a Chief Executive

A “non job”

Chief Executive or Leader or both?

Visionary

Communication and personal impact

Credible leadership with Board/Members

Business Acumen / Commercial Skills

Citizen, customer and community focused

What do Elected Members look for?

• Transformational change• Breadth of vision• Breadth of experience• A trusted advisor• Inspiration• Humanity

Shifting focus to meet current demands

• Ideological• Strategising • Consultative• Communicator• Linear

• Practical• Action now• Collaborative• Motivator• Lateral approach

Be ready to impress when it counts

First Impressions

• The two worst kind of contact you can ever make... – Sending in a CV – Dear Sir/Madam....I want a job. – Call after seeing an advert and say “can you tell me something about the

role?” • Critical to do your homework first

– Read the micro-site and reference their website– Google them– Talk with folk you know

• Then work out what you have to offer against the person specification • You only have one chance of making a first impression – so make an

impact and reflect all of this thinking in your call

Self Reflection and a Sensible Plan

• Feedback is a gift! – Ask the difficult questions from Friends, Family, Network, The

Boss, Colleagues,Staff etc– Appraisals, 360, assessment tools, interview feedback, review

meetings, project reviews • Create a Personal Development Plan

– Honest reflection about what you really enjoy and what you want to be doing

– What are your strengths and weaknesses– How you are going to add to your skills and experience base– Be systematic and get busy

Elements of your Plan

• Enrich your experience not more of the same• Put yourself forward for Corporate Projects• Network – Not a dirty word or small talk at

drinks reception• Get yourself known – recruitment agencies• Move around

You’d be surprised !

• Think yourself into the role• Prepare – Yeah right.....• Make intelligent connections• Be confident and clear about what you can bring• Predict the lines of enquiry• Bring solutions not problems• Show how you make things happen and make a

difference

Questions?