How to Think Like a CEO: The 22 Vital Traits You Need to Be the Person at the Top

by D.A. Benton

Book Overview

Drawing on in-depth interviews, Benton identifies 22 vital traits that make a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - the leader responsible for making decisions, guiding teams, selling ideas, managing crises and conquering the mountains before them.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446673072
• ISBN13: 9780446673075
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A great book for people who understand the power of self-development.

This book was great. Simple, easy to implement keys to success that make sense. This book helped me understand how I can tweak my inter-personal style to let my strong areas shine. Anyone who disrespects this book does not know the power of self-development, and will not benefit. It is an easy read. I plan to read it once a year to keep myself on track. Oh, and it is great for anyone who wants to advance their career, not just those who aspire to become the CEO.

I wish I'd known this when I started my career 12 years ago.

Some people could say this is common sense. But my years in corporate America has taught me it's not common practice. Benton lays out in a clear, succinct manner what the best leaders in business or in politics do to be effective. You'll recognize a lot of the traits in yourself and a lot in people that you admire. More importantly you'll be reminded of the importance of various attributes and will be given examples of how to use this information for yourself -- to become the effective individual that you want to be.Even if you don't aspire to being "CEO" you still have to work with one so you might as well know and understand how they think to make your own life better.

Once Again!

Benton never ceases to amaze me. She gives a practical, easily obtainable approach to having a more powerful effect on those around you. She reminds us of those things we often forget when we get caught up in our daily duties. I am looking forward to her next book!

Absolute, to climb corp ladder or please someone who is !

This book is bottom line common sense, but that is exactly what most of us in the business community leave at the door each and every morning. A must read for anyone who desires to climb the corporate ladder, or just keep your boss happy who is. The little insights into the preverbial "ivory tower" remind all of us that the person who sits up on the top floor or in the corner office is not too dissimilar to ourselves. This book brings to light what has made these individuals successful and stresses what each of us must concentrate on to follow in their footsteps. Allows reader to create a checklist of habits and traits that must be mastered as we rise up the ladder. This is also important for those who are not interested in making the journey but merely satisfying a boss who is. The metaphor to mountain climbing helps bring realism and solid examples that anyone can visualize and utilize in their everyday lives.

A tremendous resource for middle managers!

As a middle manager who aspires to one day serve as a CEO or CIO I found this book to be one of the best books I've read. I like to make lists and I found the structure of the book to be well-organized and the traits easy to recall. After reading the book I met with my vice president. Before I would have felt like I spoke too much and said the wrong thing but after working on some of areas discussed in the book I talked slower, with more confidence and exhibited many of the traits that he was looking for in a new division director. I highly reccomend this book