The 3 Different Chief Executive Leadership Styles: What kind Of CEO Are You?

Fortunately, you’ve managed to land that all-important meeting with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company that you’re interested in. It’s not often you get the chance. So before you meet a real revolutionary high-ranking executive, remember to try to find out which type of CEO that he is.

So how do you connect with and influence a high-ranking executive? Below are three different chief executive leadership styles (CEO types), you need to know before your meeting:

1) An effective and efficient manager – They are reliable and committed executive, sees an opportunity in every problem, applies knowledge, works smarter, and exploits opportunities, yet struggle to inspire workforce and do innovative breakthroughs.

Example: Tim Cook, Chief Executive of Apple Inc. the world’s second-largest information technology company by revenue after Samsung Electronics.

How do you influence:  Listen and respect! And do not hesitate to mention risk involved and consequences of not moving forward.

2) A Corporate Entrepreneur –  All of these types of executives, disrupt industries because they believe in a better way of doing things and always have something to prove to the world. Their vision for their company is their vision for life.

Example: Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of Apple Inc.

How do you influence:  Look for an opportunity and when they challenge you, push back hard… keep on pushing in such a way that shows you know what you are doing. This strategy will earn you respect.

3) A Rising Star and Global Missionary – Their personal and corporate mission to make significant difference in society, as well as in company. They are inspiring and energizing.

Example: Narayana Murthy, co-founder and executive Chairman at Infosys, the third-largest India-based IT services company.

How do you influence: Try to understand their mission and share yours.