What makes a successful cannabis CEO?
The tragic death of Zappos’ founder and business leader extraordinaire Tony Hsieh prompted me to consider what makes a great cannabis leader. I’ve worked with hundreds of C-suite executives in over 150 cannabis companies scattered across the world. If a company is going to win, they will need great managers who can also lead. The best CEOS have these 5 traits:
1. Strategic clarity – they are focused, purpose-driven and data-informed, and don’t shirk from making tough decisions;
2. Prioritizes execution – their mantra: if you talk the strategic talk you need to walk the operational walk;
3. Team and talent builder – they proactively recruit team & Board members that fill his/her gaps, and understand that capabilities build-out is more than having bodies on an org chart;
4. Works well with their investors and bankers but are not obsessed with them;
5. Have no culture-destroying personality disorders - their behavior sets the cultural tone for the entire firm.
Yes, the above is a wish list but these people do exist in the business world and they do want to work in cannabis. It’s high time to find, hire and incentivize them.
#CEO #leadership #management #TonyHsieh #bestpractices