The chief executive officer of a company can have many responsibilities, but the extent of his or her authority depends on the company. Your typical “Hollywood” CEO might seem to run the world, but in reality, their power is allocated by the company’s board of directors. While she or he could be a member or even the chairperson of the board, the board of directors calls the big shots. However, this doesn’t mean the CEO is a mere puppet of the board; he or she has duties unique to her position.
Managing the Company
The responsibilities of a CEO vary depending on the size of the company. If they're working with a fresh start-up or a smaller organization, then the chief executive officer has a more active participatory role, making not only big decisions but handling more minor challenges as well. In a larger organization, there are departments beneath her that take care of the smaller tasks, such as hiring and conducting interviews.
Regardless of the size of the company, the job is a management role. The CEO is in charge of executing effective communication between the board of directors and the rest of the company. She examines a lot of numbers; from financial progress to cash flow management, she helps direct the company’s growth. Creating the company’s “culture” is a significant part of the CEO’s job. In fact, you could say it’s the most visible aspect of the job—she ensures that the culture reaches both her employees and the customer. It's one thing to envision the brand, but it has to sell too.
How to Become a CEO
The easiest and fastest way to become a CEO is to start your own business! If you are the owner of a proprietorship, which is a registered business with no legal separate existence from its owner, you can technically be considered a CEO. However, that also makes you wholly responsible for any legal or financial troubles that affect your business, so operating a proprietorship is a risky route.
If you’ve always aspired to be this business big-shot, going to college will improve your chances. Not only will you be able to make valuable connections, but you’ll learn from professors who’ve successfully navigated the business world. Most importantly, you’ve got to have experience. The title of chief executive won’t be handed to someone with little managerial skills or knowledge of the company. Extensive work in the field—in addition to years of dedication to the company—is a sure path to success.
