The CEO Solution
Maverick CEOs or business owners do things in a way that is different to the rest of their industry, they take risks that other CEOs shirk at, and push harder and seek challenges that others feel are 'insane'.
They are generally successful at what they do but their impatience and impulsiveness often keep them off track. When Mavericks reach a level of success they often get bored seek challenges elsewhere until their business suffers. It is at that point that they return to their business to rescue it.
Maverick CEOs and business owners are often:
- easily distracted with working in their business and not IN it
- are without a trusted advisor
- are busy not focused
- are impatient and impulsive
- are offhand and brutally honest, inappropriately
It is by enabling CEOs and business owners to take this wilful independence to its most positive outcomes that can make a strategic and substantial difference to the profitability of a company and the success of the individual. True maverick organisations like Semco and Apple (when Steve Jobs was in charge), and individuals like John F Kennedy and Elon Musk can make a lasting difference. This is mainly because they strived to achieve a level of mastery that was beyond their peers.
Mavericks are truly talented individuals and are able to drag the world forward with their insights and abilities.
These gifted individuals are often struggling to get the best out of their talent, frequently not fitting into a world of constraints and conformity. When Mavericks are not being recognised for their expertise this can lead to frustration and a cycle of dissatisfaction. This may manifest itself in destructive behaviour or talent opt out. Talent opt out is when an individual deliberately decides to withdraw their extraordinary skills and do the bare minimum to get by.
Whilst a Maverick's bare minimum is often the same standard as other people's best, the organisation nevertheless losses the ability to perform to a greater standard.
Eventually the Maverick either opts out in a passive (Socialised Maverick, Maverick Behaviourist) or destructive (Extreme Maverick) way, or leaves the organisation deciding to try their luck elsewhere or set up their own business.
It is often at this point that the Maverick becomes an entrepreneur where their ability to harness their maverickism determines their ability to survive in business.
All Mavericks are emergent, strategic thinkers who consider the big picture whilst capturing the detail. They do not just consider the symptoms of the problem, they look for the root causes. They look at all the elements rather than maintaining a narrow focus.
RSS – Posts