Stop being a bouncy CEO!

Why some CEOs struggle to stay focused

Many CEOs are idea-driven (I'm one of them so I get it).

It's how they inspire others to follow them.

It's how they get investors to invest.

It's how they come up with great ideas.

Unfortunately, it has downsides.

This isn’t just a strategic issue, it’s behavioural. It comes from how you think, how you process ideas and how comfortable you are with uncertainty and commitment.

Some CEOs can't control it (remember, with great power comes great responsibility 😉) and they bounce from idea to idea creating stress and confusion for the team around them.

How lack of focus affects teams and performance

I often have clients who get caught in the whirlwind of this type of CEO and who are failing at their jobs because the CEO can't choose an idea and stick with it. One week they want a particular piece of research done, and the next that's out of the window and something shinier and newer takes it's place. The poor team around them are bouncing from instruction to instruction never knowing what plan is truly important, and never really finishing anything. This really affects their confidence as they then can't show they are able to complete anything.

Then they get the blame...

The difference between innovation and distraction

In all businesses new ideas are great. So is the ability to adapt and be spontaneous. But only when it serves the purpose of the business correctly.

Too many CEOs are brought in just because they sell the vision in the interview.

What often happens is that once in the role they can't focus on a vision and see it through, adapting only when necessary.

When leadership style becomes a strength or a weakness

This is particularly prevalent with CEOs with ADHD (many of them do and many are unaware they have it). ADHD is a superpower when you play to your strengths, but that means knowing what your strengths are and learning to create some structure and boundaries around the bits you aren't so good at.

If you are a CEO and recognise this bouncing trait in you then you need to address it properly so you can be the best version of you and truly inspire and enable those around you to do the same.

If you recognise this pattern in yourself, it’s something to address early. Get in touch for a conversation about how executive coaching and executive therapy can help you improve focus, decision making and follow-through without losing your strengths.