Many successful CEOs earned their recognition as a result of clear career decisions, dedication, good resource allocation, and excellent talent management. However, the pre-COVID-19 realities have changed and most likely much will continue to change going forward. New requirements have come upon all of us in ways we could never have imagined, leaving us with little or no experience to fall back on.   The world has changed significantly in these last few months and we have to rethink, re-imagine and re-invigorate our organizations. We have changed as well, and we look at things differently.

The obvious question is whether these past successes are any guarantee to be replicated in the changing era post-COVID 19?

I worked with CEOs around the world helping them reinvent themselves and adapt to new situations. It is a high order for many of them, since they are confronted with their past success. Now, looking into the eye of the CORONAVIRUS hurricane these powerful CEOs are willing to accept a sense of humbleness. A sense one often weighs when confronting the unknown, when they have a duel imposed by uncharted terrain.

Here are some subjects I believe will be relevant for the CEO who wants to keep his/her position.

Single Topic: Priorities

As we slowly come out of the pandemic lock down and all the quarantine related concerns, doubts and destabilizing effects, CEOs will surely be asking themselves, and now what? Value building, and finances are on everyone’s mind. But without new thinking, a healthy means to achieve results and reimagining what is possible, nothing will work.

More than ever the initial short-term CEO responsibilities center on internal company management, on healing and a shared willingness to come out the other side stronger. Specifically, by:

• Building a strong executive team; with the emphasis on team
• Establishing and communicating a new company vision, share this often at all levels
• Being realistic, based on having empathy for your employees and being honest, make it engaging so it includes everyone’s vision
• Focusing on people, their situations and what future you will build together
• Jointly redefining your place in the market, the community and the families of all

As for peaking at the market:

• Be the team that is out there to put its customers first, for the community, and for the country

You, the CEO, are the orchestra director, you set the tone. Every action, inaction, communication or lack of it sends a strong message, internally and externally. You do not have to know how to play every instrument in the orchestra, but you can share the way you want the music to sound and you can choose the music that will get everyone, employees, suppliers, clients and shareholders enthusiastic.

Giving your colleagues, everyone in the company, a strong sense of a positive future destination, a future they can believe in and are willing to buy into and fight to achieve because it is jointly theirs – is the ultimate task of the CEO. The CEO who moves hearts, gets people to follow by communicating often, speaking the truth, showing empathy, accepting support, and being tolerant is a trustworthy orchestra director and a CCL, Chief Cheer Leader people can get behind!

Do you have what it takes? Are you willing to learn it?