If you are a CEO, or other C-Suite…

[AhHereNow]

…how did you know you were ready? What was your trajectory? How long did you spend at SLT/Exec level? What age were you when you moved up?

I was 50, it was a spin out of a much larger multinational I worked for, they needed someone to set up the function and run it. It was a fantastic experience but 2.5 years on it ended due to a new CEO in a different country who wanted my function led from there.

Honestly I’m enjoying being a level down again working for an old friend/colleague - now I have teenagers I need the mental space to engage with them - the 10.5 hour days, evening & weekend work, the travel take a toll. I don’t need the money. I’m an introvert so found the VIP treatment when visiting factories and “being on show” / having to present to 300 blokes in PPE stressful. Glad I’ve done it but currently not looking to go back to it. I worked with a really great exec team and it’s fun running a company and making the decisions though.

Thank you so much for sharing, it’s really helped with the thought process at the moment.

Im 38, and I have worked very hard tbf. Essentially 24years in the industry. I’ve been at SLT level/exec level for about 10 years and have been headhunted for a CEO role. Not guaranteed I’ll get it, me and 2 others and I’ve not fully decided to put myself forward.

Part of me thinks I’m not ready, another part thinks it’s just imposter syndrome and I’m more than capable. (And yet another part envies that a man would never have these thoughts!)

I have teen DC, single parent, and while they are gaining so much independence (and I honestly feel the void so much) I also don’t want to be absent. Current role has me away for 2 day stretches, every 6 weeks or so. New role would be regular Int’l travel 8 or 9 months of the year, as well as entertaining regionally. I work long hours anyway, but a lot can be done from home.

On the salary, it would be such a massive step up, almost life changing. DC about to start driving and go to university, wouldn’t have to worry about funding any of that. I just bought a modest home which I could accelerate payments and renovation on.

But I’m feeling the doubt creep in. Am I too young? Do I have enough experience? Is this right for DC?

Thanks again x

ive not done it but for me it would be if i know the role and duties expected and i knew i could hold my own against other managers or departments etc, mainly once i knew all that i could and preferably had some experience as eg an assistant before taking on the main roles etc

hope all goes well for the role

Director at 36 and c suite at 43. I knew I was ready because I’ve been doing that role without the title for years. It’s been more of a re-jig of titles than a promotion. But I now have equity too.
Also single parent with teen DC.
Go for it, if you were a man you wouldn’t be thinking twice!

Thanks folks!

@LadyBeatriceBeaHigginsthe interesting thing about this role is that it’s a CEO designate role for the first 6 to 12 months, then the CEO is stepping down and retiring. So I would get to shadow him for that time. Which is my situation is actually ideal. I don’t have specific sector network for the role exactly, although the sectors I’ve operated in are very much aligned with a lot of cross over. So shadowing him would allow me to build the network required. They’ve approached because I have the commercial growth expertise that they want for the next phase of the business.

@Geminisparkits so true about men mostly not having these concerns and self doubt isn’t it! Have you and your teen found the hours and responsibility required tough? I probably only have 2 years with DC at home and I just worry that last bit of time will fly by while I’m working longer hours, travelling more etc. But if I waited another 2 years, maybe the same opportunities wouldn’t be available. And again, the money would be incredibly helpful at the moment.

I don’t have to travel ever so that’s not an issue and only go into office once a week. The unsociable hours of weekends / evenings / holidays have gone on for years so we’re used to it. It has impacted me and I’m now working 3.5 days becuase I was burning out. (Health issues too).

Not to put you off though I would absolutely go for it. If it doesn’t work out you’ll have more experience and you don’t have to do it forever. The job market is rubbish so an opportunity like this with shadowing first sounds great.

I’m ExCo now and report directly to CEO. That’ll be my next step. I also hire for C-Suite.

I’m of the opinion that your next move should always stretch you, always look to grow. So you’ll never be “ready” more than you are now.

Just go for it. We all wear PJs, have imposter syndrome and shit just like everyone else.

Haha, thank you for that @DoubleShotEspressox, gave me a good laugh! And thank you for the advice, you’re right, a new role should stretch you and I think every move I’ve made has done that, and I’ve probably felt this trepidation going into my last few roles aswell. I think it’s just the CEO label that is making it more daunting.

And it’s the personal impact as well. But I suppose that can be offset a little by the additional money, I could renovate the house quicker, hire a cleaner so that we have a more comfortable home without so much of my own effort being required. Currently doing all the renovations myself which has taken me away from DC somewhat. There would also be more money for holidays and making amazing memories.

Need to have the application in by tomorrow and I’m leaning towards putting myself forward. What have I to lose I suppose? The process alone is good experience.

Just to say that, if it were me I absolutely would be thinking twice and having doubts even though I’m a man, and if I were in your team I would be very glad to have a CEO with genuine humility, it would make a nice change. Go for it and good luck

Dh is a CEO, and I really wouldn’t underestimate the personal impact of a role like that. The pressure of being the one that is ultimately responsible for not just the wellbeing of the company, but for the choices you make impacting the lives of so many people is pretty hard, and everyone wants a piece of you all the time. The hours are long and travel demands high.
He loves it and is (mostly) thriving in that environment, but it’s been some significant changes for us to enable it to happen.
Absolutely apply and see what happens though

I was a CFO at 49, but did very sacked. Not for fraud or anything, just because news was bad. Miss it less and less as time passes.

I spent 4 years on SLT then moved to become a CEO at a slightly smaller org.

I was 42 in my first CEO role.

Moved to a bigger org at age 48.

53 and contemplating my next.

@QAOPspacemanthank you, and sorry if I was general in my comments. Men do seem to have far more self belief, oftentimes unwarranted, and are much more willing to put themselves out there for positions like this. Not saying that’s a bad thing, I probably wish I had as much confidence!

Thank you very much for your well wishes

This definitely concerns me, because in your situation there’s an ‘us’. There’s no ‘us’ in my situation really. My DC does see their father, but when with me, it’s all on me.

Personal Q but how many children do you have? Do you also work outside the home, or within the home therefore enabling your husband to work?

Okay, I need to know more! What happened???

Moved to a bigger org as CEO? Do you love it? What will your next move be do you think? Has it been worth it?

I’ve just completed my application 🙈 I think it’s strong but it’s on paper, but there’s a number of steps to demonstrate my value in the interview process, I think 3, which I’d be a lot more comfortable with. I’ve never actually interviewed for a role that I’ve not won and if this is the first, then I’ll be grateful for the experience I suppose.

Go for it. I bloody love it.

I knew I was ready when I realised that my ideas were just as good as anyone else in the room, if not a good deal more sensible.

Apply for it. You have nothing to lose and don't have to decide until you're made an offer.

It's hard work, but rewarding, and you get to be the one who makes decisions. In your particular instance, getting in house training from the incumbent is useful, but don't let it overshadow what you think either.

Education, multi academy trust, govt funding not keeping pace with pay awards. Trustees wanted a fall guy

I’d echo what @HappiestSleeping said- the shadowing is great, AND remember you don’t then have mould yourself into your predecessor. You’ve been headhunted for a reason, you are clearly super impressive, with a track record to match.
It sounds like you’ve done some big stuff in life very young, so I wouldn’t worry about being young for the role. And you can always spend some of the extra dosh on a coach (ideally one who knows what it is to be a single mum of teens) to help you think things through while you find your stride!

Yes I can recommend an excellent coach

The idea of being "ready" is nonsense, you just need a sufficiently high opinion of yourself.