Five Common Personality Traits of the World’s Top CEOs

Being the CEO of one of the world’s largest corporations is a title that comes with a great deal of responsibility. It’s not easy to manage every aspect of an entire company, and it’s not easy to being the person blamed for everything and praised for everything else. Every CEO is different, but there are certain personality traits and characteristics each one has in common. You don’t make it to the top by accident, and these men and women share some of the most unique personality traits in the world; the characteristics of leaders.

CEOs Value Trust

The world’s top CEOs understand that effective leadership is not possible without trust. They work hard to build the trust of their employees and expect the same in return. A well-oiled machine cannot be created with doubt and insecurity. However, when all pieces and parts work together – no matter how important or how insignificant the part – the machine thrives.

CEOs Know Communication is Important

Communication is vital in any workplace. This is something that all CEOs know and understand. Without good communication skills, a company will not thrive. CEOs have to be honest and open with their employees and their employees have to do the same in return. It’s imperative.

CEOs Understand Failure

A great CEO understands that failure is not a bad thing – they also understand that it is an option. Those who say failure is not an option have a lot to learn. Without failure you’re either perfect or you’re not learning to grow. CEOs have faced their fair share of failure, but the difference is that they understand that while it’s not a good feeling, it’s helpful. Rather than looking at the negative aspect of failure, CEOs embrace the lesson from each failure and apply it to every success.

CEOs Listen

One of the most fascinating personality traits of someone with such an important job is their ability to listen. A good CEO knows that listening is the single most important thing you can do. You never know where the next great idea is going to come from, how to improve a company or how to make effective changes unless you listen to what others have to say.

CEOs Embrace Change

So many people are afraid of change, but change is what makes us more successful. If you never change, you’ll never become more successful. A good CEO knows this, understands this and uses this in his or her daily life. They embrace change and use it for their own success and the success of their corporations.

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Written by Tiffany Raiford

Tiffany Raiford is a lifelong Floridian, wife to my high school sweetheart and mother of four littles (two girls and boy/girl twins...no, they are not identical and yes, I'm sure). My kids love to whine, so I love to wine. My loves include nap time, bed time, date night, travel and evenings and weekends when my husband is home because he handles all diaper changes.