How to become a C-suite executive
Do you dream of a corner office but don't know how to get there? From required education to necessary skills, find out what it takes to become a C-suite executive.
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Dreaming of the corner office or your name on the company letterhead? Becoming a C-suite executive requires a mix of education, skills, and strategy.
Explore what a C-Suite executive is, what the duties may entail, and what skills and level of education you'll need to become one.
What is a C-suite executive? What does a C-suite executive do?
C-suite executives are the highest-ranking leaders and final decision-makers within a company. Some common examples include:
- chief executive officer (COO)
- chief financial officer (CFO)
- chief operating officer (COO)
- chief information officer (CIO)
C-suite executives think strategically about the long-term and make decisions that shape the organization's future. These roles demand big-picture thinking, vision, foresight, and the ability to inspire employees and consumers.
Each C-suite executive oversees the general operations and decision-making of a division within the company. Depending on size, a company may have executives specializing in finance, operations, information technology, marketing, communications, or sustainability.
Their typical day often includes meetings with other executives, listening to presentations by vice presidents (VPs) or directors, reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs), monitoring financials, and fostering relationships with stakeholders.
What education do you need as a C-suite executive?
Almost all C-suite executives have a postsecondary degree and a majority of them also have a graduate degree. According to a 2017 study of the educational backgrounds of business leaders published in Social Forces, 92% of senior executives at Fortune 1000 companies have at least an undergraduate degree, and 66% of those same executives have a graduate degree as well.
It is common for CEOs and other C-suite executives to have a master's in business administration (MBA) degree in addition to other degrees or special certifications in fields relevant to their role (e.g., accounting, digital marketing, artificial intelligence, human resources, sales).
What skills does a C-suite executive need?
Leadership skills
Being a great leader means more than just telling people what to do. An effective C-suite executive should be able to:
- Promote the company's mission
- Inspire and motivate your teams
- Make strategic large-scale decisions
- Unify teams by communicating company strategy
- Set the example by leading ethically and responsibly
- Cultivate a positive company culture and work environment
Subject matter expertise
C-suite executives establish authority and credibility through their expertise, which can be demonstrated by having:
- A deep base of knowledge and understanding of your specific field
- A proven and documented record of success in similar positions
- The ability to think creatively, use your imagination, and drive innovation
- A keen awareness of industry trends, consumer behavior, and recent research
- Years or even decades of experience working within the industry in various roles
Business acumen
C-suite execs must understand how business management works and how to do it successfully. You'll want to:
- Read business news and case studies
- Learn about all the moving parts of a company
- Think systematically and consider the bigger picture
- Understand how businesses make and lose money
- Learn from your network of other thought leaders in relevant industries
Communication skills
Top business executives must communicate clearly and appropriately to internal and external stakeholders. This can be done by:
- Soliciting feedback and listening attentively
- Explaining complex ideas simply and articulately
- Presenting and speaking confidently in front of groups
- Maintaining professionalism in written and spoken communications
- Identifying the "unspoken rules" or corporate etiquette expected at the C-suite level
Analytical skills
Companies comprise many complex and interacting parts, so C-suite execs need to understand the overall company structure, data analytics nuances, and consumer behavior drivers. Develop your ability to:
- Recognize pain points and areas for improvement
- Anticipate internal problems and devising solutions
- Analyze metrics and complex data for business insights
- Consider the long-term or far-reaching impact of decisions
- Evaluate numerous external variables that might impede company success
Networking skills
Working your way to the C-suite is the living definition: "It's not what you know, but who you know." Build your professional network by:
- Attending business events, conferences, and symposiums
- Volunteering as a guest speaker or finding paid speaking gigs
- Connecting and engaging with other professionals on LinkedIn
- Establishing an online presence as a thought leader or innovator
- Building connections with execs or senior leaders from other companies
Financial responsibility
Executives are accountable for the financial management of their division, so they must understand how corporate finances work on a broad scale. This includes:
- Interpreting metrics provided in financial reports
- Understanding what factors and strategies drive profits
- Developing budgets and ensuring financial accountability
- Calculating risks and potential pay-offs before making decisions
- Identifying areas of inefficiency and eliminating unnecessary spending
Ethics and integrity
As one of the company leaders, your ethics and integrity set the example for how your company does business. A company's reputation and credibility are established by:
- Being honest and transparent
- Treating people fairly and respectfully
- Making decisions that benefit the greater good
- Refusing to compromise on company principles, values, or quality
- Understanding federal and local laws, regulations, and industry standards
Emotional intelligence
Beyond key performance indicators and profit margins, remember you are leading an entire company full of people. Building successful teams requires senior leaders who are emotionally intelligent and who can:
- Accept and give feedback gracefully
- Be empathetic and extend compassion
- Validate concerns and help employees feel supported
- Make rational and fair decisions not driven by emotion
- Pursue ideas that benefit all stakeholders and not just investors
Adaptability
Entire industries can change essentially overnight, so change management should be a crucial part of your business strategy. Flexibility and adaptability may look like:
- Being approachable and open to change
- Learning new skills, techniques, and strategies
- Embracing new technologies and industry innovations
- Devising contingency plans or alternate approaches ahead of time
- Communicating new approaches, policies, solutions, or expectations clearly
Get started with online programs on edX
No one becomes a C-suite executive overnight, but you can start on that path today by exploring and signing up for one of edX's online bachelor's in business programs.