I remember reading a book a few years ago that talks about “Thinking like a CEO.” The book was written for employees, and I could remember how, after reading through the lessons in the book, I wished every employee could read it.
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Running a business is never easy. All business owners know this. Every day comes with choices, big or small, that can either push the company forward or set it back. Most times, these choices fall on the shoulders of the business owner or leader.
Just try to imagine what would happen if everyone on your team could step in just like you would step in and handle situations or make decisions with the bigger picture in mind. Imagine if they treated the business like it was theirs, caring about customers, costs, growth, and long-term results just as much as you do.
You would like that, right?
What it means to think like a CEO
Thinking like a CEO has nothing to do with the title or position. So, don’t think you need to give up your position or title. But it has everything to do with the attitudes and results. When your staff begin to think like the CEO, they see the bigger picture and make choices that help the business grow, not just doing their small part.
However, that kind of situation does not come by chance.
It is intentionally created or built. If you desire a team of “CEOs” within your business, you must be committed to building that team. If you’re able to achieve this, you will no longer have to carry the whole weight of the business alone. Instead, you have a group of people who act with ownership, who understand why their work matters, and who make choices that move the company forward.
So, why should you get everyone in your business to start thinking like a CEO?
1. Faster Decisions, Less Waiting Around
In many businesses, small decisions get delayed because everyone waits for the boss. When team members think like a CEO, they can quickly make certain decisions on their own. This means less time wasted on approvals and faster results for the company.
2. Stronger Sense of Ownership
When people see themselves as “mini-CEOs” of their role, they stop saying, “That’s not my job.” Instead, they take responsibility for the desired outcomes. That sense of ownership makes employees more engaged and motivated.
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3. Better Alignment With Company Goals
Sometimes, teams work hard but in different directions. It’s just like a football team where everyone is playing defensively. While they may avoid conceding a goal, they can’t win the match.
When employees think like CEOs, they understand the bigger goals and adjust their work to support them. This ensures the business moves forward smoothly, with everyone working towards the same destination.
4. Improved Customer Experience
Customers are at the heart of every business. A CEO understands that they are in business for the customer and would always ask, “How will this affect our customers?”
If every employee thought the same way, customers would feel valued at every touchpoint, from sales to support. For instance, a delivery driver who thinks like a CEO might call a customer to confirm directions, preventing delays and leaving a great impression.
5. Stronger Business Growth Without Micromanagement
As a business grows, one person cannot handle all decisions. If the team can think strategically, the business scales without needing the owner to micromanage every little thing.
It frees up the leader to focus on bigger opportunities while trusting the team to make good day-to-day choices.
6. Smarter Use of Resources
Money, time, and energy are limited in every business. A CEO-minded employee asks, “Is this the best use of our resources?”
This mindset reduces waste and encourages innovation.
7. A More Resilient and Future-Proof Business
Markets change, challenges come, and crises happen. A team that thinks like CEOs can quickly adapt because they’re not just waiting for instructions; they’re already identifying problems and suggesting solutions.
This makes the business stronger and better prepared for the future.
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Concluding Thoughts
As I stated earlier, achieving this kind of arrangement will require an intentional effort from you. It doesn’t happen by chance. No, you don’t need a team full of executives to achieve this. You just need people who are encouraged to take ownership, understand the bigger picture, and act with the business’s success in mind.
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