14 Top CEOs Share Their Definition Of "Leadership,"​ What's Yours?

There was one question top CEOs had a hard time answer… But first, some context. Over the past 18 months, I had the privilege to interview some of the world's top CEOs for my book, The Future Leader. I spoke with CEOs from companies like Best Buy, Audi, KPMG, Oracle, SAP, Verizon, MasterCard, Royal Caribbean, InterContinental Hotels Group, and dozens of others. I was trying to understand how leadership is changing what leaders need to do in order to adapt and be successful in the new world of work. I asked these CEOs about trends, skills, mindsets, challenges, and everything and anything in between. All the leaders gave me fantastic answers, wonderful stories, and profound insights, everything flowed very easily...until we got to THE QUESTION. "If I came from another planet and had no concept of 'leader' or 'leadership,' how would you explain it to me?" This is where the awkward pauses started… The problem is we don't spend enough time thinking about this because we all assume we know what good and bad leadership is and what it looks like.  For many, trying to explain leadership is like trying to explain water to someone. We don't do it because we all know what water is and we all know what leadership is...right? All of the CEOs I interviewed defined "leader" and "leadership" differently. Sure, there are some common themes, but the definitions themselves are unique.  The worst thing you and your organization can do is NOT have a clear definition of what leadership is and what it means to be a leader. The first and most crucial step for anyone embarking on their leadership journey is to define what this means to begin with.  Your definition and concept of leadership will change over time.That's ok, but you have to start somewhere! What's your definition of "leader" and "leadership?"  For those of you want to be a future-ready leader… The Leadership Mastery Framework is the only leadership course in the world based on expertise from more than 140 hands-on-in-the-field CEOs (from companies like Best Buy, Audi, MasterCard, Unilever, Verizon, and more). It’s built for striving leaders in every level of their companies and anyone who knows they have more to give to make a genuine impact.  This course is the fast track to leadership mastery for the future. I want you to reach every inch of your full potential and make the supersonic impact you’ve been itching for, and this course will show you how it’s not only possible but vital that you take action. Enrollment CLOSES ON MIDNIGHT TODAY AUGUST 14TH.