Rising Stars: The Unconventional Path to CEO
A New Breed of Leaders
Damola Adamolekun’s remarkable journey to the top of Red Lobster is a testament to his exceptional leadership skills. At just 35, he has already led two major restaurant chains, a feat that few can match. But what sets Adamolekun apart is not his corner office posts, but rather his extraordinary ability to accelerate his career.
The CEO Sprinter
According to Elena Lytkina Botelho, a partner at management consulting firm ghSmart, there are three key career catapults that help professionals fast-track their ascent to the top: taking a demotion or pay cut to expand responsibilities, making a bold leap within the first decade of their career, and stepping into and resolving a significant mess. These catapults help individuals get results, get noticed, and get stronger.
The Power of Sacrifice
Rising to the top often requires short-term sacrifices. Jane Edison Stevenson, Korn Ferry’s global vice chair of board and CEO services, notes that relying solely on vertical growth and expertise in a single field can hinder an executive’s upward trajectory. Horizontal moves and zigzags are crucial for gaining a broader range of skills and experiences.
Bold Leaps and Turnarounds
Taking a sizable leap early in one’s career can accelerate growth, expose individuals to transformative challenges, and position them for leadership opportunities sooner. Brian Niccol, Starbucks’ new CEO, is a prime example of a sprinter who has earned a reputation as a fast-food brand savior. He became Taco Bell’s CEO in 2015, just 19 years after starting his career in brand management at Procter & Gamble.
Must-Have Skills
Understanding the impact of career accelerants is crucial for executives aiming to hasten their rise to leadership. Botelho identifies four must-have skills for a faster path to the CEO seat: deciding with speed and conviction, engaging for impact, proactively adapting to a range of circumstances, and reliably delivering results. Additionally, soft skills like confidence, agreeableness, likability, extroversion, and charisma will only grow in importance as technology reshapes the business landscape.
The Risk and Reward
While the speed of a CEO sprinter’s climb carries risks and challenges, early-career failures can be a learning opportunity and even welcomed by boards who like to see how a candidate navigates obstacles and self-inflicted missteps. As Botelho notes, “Sometimes the risk is really worth taking even if it doesn’t become a spectacular win.”
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