In any role, whether you’re at the entry level or a seasoned professional, adopting a CEO mindset can be a transformative approach to achieving success and making a significant impact. This mindset isn’t confined to those at the top of the corporate ladder; it is an attitude and a way of being that can be cultivated at any stage of a career. Here’s how to embody the qualities of a CEO to lead with vision, ownership, and impact in any job.

Feel: Cultivate Emotional Intelligence and Empathy

Great leaders connect with people on a deeper level. They understand their motivations, build strong relationships, and foster a culture of trust and inclusivity. Developing emotional intelligence and empathy enables one to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics effectively and inspire others to perform at their best.

Consider the example of Roz Brewer, former COO of Starbucks and now CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, who regularly visited Starbucks stores to engage with employees and customers alike. By listening to their stories, understanding their challenges, and empathizing with their experiences, she gained invaluable insights into the heartbeat of the organization. This practice not only fostered loyalty and trust but also informed more effective decision-making that resonated across all levels of the company. Feeling deeply connected to both the people and the mission is a hallmark of great leadership.

Think: Adopt a Strategic and Forward-Looking Mindset

Leaders think beyond the immediate and the obvious. They are constantly scanning the horizon, anticipating changes, and preparing for what lies ahead. Strategic thinking involves considering various scenarios, weighing options, and aligning actions with long-term goals.

Take, for example, Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, who implemented the “Performance with Purpose” strategy. She championed a bold shift towards healthier product lines and sustainable practices long before they became industry standards. By anticipating future consumer preferences and regulatory environments, she positioned PepsiCo for long-term success while simultaneously championing a cause that benefits society. This kind of forward-looking mindset is crucial for navigating uncertainty and driving sustained growth.

Believe: Cultivate an Ownership Mindset

Believing in the mission of the organization and taking ownership of both successes and failures is key to acting like a CEO. It’s about seeing the company’s goals as your own, regardless of your title or department.

Imagine Tobi Lütke, who started as a software developer and became the CEO of Shopify. He recognized the potential for a groundbreaking e-commerce platform and took it upon himself to build it, initially to support his own snowboard business. By believing in the project and taking full ownership of its success, he transformed a simple idea into a thriving business. This sense of ownership and commitment to the greater good of the organization is what propels individuals—and their companies—forward.

Act: Demonstrate Proactive Leadership and Initiative

True leaders don’t wait for permission to act; they take initiative and lead by example. Proactive leadership means identifying opportunities for improvement, stepping up to challenges, and confidently making decisions that drive progress.

Consider Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors (GM), who started her career at GM as a co-op student. Long before she ascended to the top position, she demonstrated initiative by leading a project to reduce the number of car platforms, improving efficiency, and saving the company millions. Her proactive approach and ability to lead changes that enhanced efficiency and effectiveness were key factors in her rise through the ranks. By acting decisively and leading by example, she showed that leadership is about action, not just position.

Integrating the CEO Mindset: A Holistic Approach

Leading with a CEO mindset involves a holistic approach that integrates feeling, thinking, believing, and acting with purpose and integrity. A powerful illustration of this is seen in the journey of Eric Yuan, founder and CEO of Zoom. Before founding Zoom, Yuan was an engineer and vice president at Cisco WebEx. He deeply understood customer pain points, envisioned a superior product, believed unwaveringly in the possibility of innovation, and took bold steps to create a groundbreaking platform that revolutionized an industry.

This approach reflects a deep understanding of customer needs, a strategic vision for a better future, a steadfast belief in one’s mission, and the courage to innovate. It demonstrates that a CEO mindset is not about titles but about the impact one can make through thoughtful, purposeful action.

Key Practices for Embodying the CEO Mindset

• Stay Curious and Continuously Learn: Approach every experience with curiosity. Seek out new knowledge and embrace the opportunity to learn from every situation. This openness to learning is a critical component of leadership and growth.
• Build a Strong Personal Brand: Cultivate a reputation for reliability, expertise, and innovation. Your personal brand is a reflection of your values and how you consistently show up in your role.
• Develop a Growth-Oriented Attitude: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. A growth-oriented attitude fosters resilience and optimism, qualities essential for navigating the inevitable ups and downs of any career.
• Communicate with Clarity and Confidence: Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Effective communication is a powerful tool for inspiring and leading others.

By adopting these practices and embracing a CEO mindset, one can create a significant impact in any role, foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, and drive both personal and organizational success. Leadership is not a position—it’s a mindset. And this mindset, when cultivated thoughtfully and consistently, can transform not only careers but entire organizations.