Best Advice for Future Leaders on the Path to Becoming a CEO

Becoming an effective CEO demands a blend of vision, emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to inspire and lead others through uncertainty. Aspiring CEOs must learn to think strategically, communicate with impact, and cultivate a mindset that balances innovation with responsibility.

25 business leaders share their best advice for aspiring CEOs

From embracing mentorship and continuous learning to mastering decision-making, building strong teams, and developing a clear long-term vision, there are essential lessons that define successful leadership. We asked entrepreneurs and business owners what it takes to rise to the top and here’s the advice they shared for future CEOs:

1. Master the art of removing friction

Success often comes from taking what people already do and making it easier just like effective project management tools simplify complex tasks. Our clients, startup founders, don’t struggle to find investors but to get noticed by them. By streamlining that process, they focus on building great products instead of chasing responses. The same principle applies everywhere: act early, launch before perfection, and value time it’s the most limited resource a leader has.

Thanks to Sagar Agrawal, Qubit Capital!

2. Design for trust before chasing growth

In regulated services, treat consent, aftercare, and complaints as core product features not mere paperwork. Establish clear SOPs, track what safeguards patients and customers like adverse events, response times, and follow-up completion and review cash flow weekly to reject misaligned revenue. Keep your model lean and repeatable until quality becomes consistently reliable. Only scale once your systems endure stress tests. Remember, culture mirrors metrics so measure safety, transparency, and outcomes, then hire and reward accordingly.

Thanks to Georgie Kurzyp, Heart Aesthetics Hobart!

3. Develop CEO mindset

If you want to become a CEO, start thinking like one today. Learn how every part of a business works from sales and marketing to finance and operations because CEOs need a complete, strategic view. Find mentors who’ve led before and learn from their experiences. Remember, leadership isn’t handed to you; it’s earned through trust, initiative, and problem-solving. Build a strong reputation for making things happen, and you’ll naturally attract opportunities that move you closer to the CEO role.

Thanks to Ivan Vislavskiy, Comrade Digital Marketing Agency!

---

4. Lead with excellence and empathy

My advice for aspiring CEOs is to lead with an obsession for excellence and deep empathy for people. Business is human. Your team, customers, and partners shape your brand’s legacy. At Eric Javits, we earned trust through creativity and craftsmanship, but sustained success came from resilience, humility, and listening more than speaking. True leadership isn’t about doing everything it’s about mastering what matters most with consistency. Real growth happens when you empower others to own and advance your vision as their own.

Thanks to Dario Markovic, Eric Javits!

---

5. Take action early to build resilient leadership

My biggest advice for future CEOs is simple don’t wait to feel ready, because that moment may never come. Start small, make bold decisions, and learn quickly from mistakes. Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking, and listen more than you speak. Keep your curiosity alive, as it fuels innovation and growth. Leadership isn’t about titles or power it’s about shaping a clear vision, getting hands-on, and staying composed when challenges arise. That’s how real leaders are built.

Thanks to Jared Bauman, 201 Creative!

---

6. Build mental strength and self-awareness

My advice for aspiring CEOs is to develop mental strength and self-awareness first. The role demands more than vision it requires calmness in uncertainty and the ability to guide yourself and others through change. When I founded Mosaicenter, I learned that leadership isn’t about control but focus. Great CEOs make tough decisions with conviction while listening deeply to their team, customers, and instincts. The most successful leaders aren’t just visionary thinkers; they’re grounded learners who evolve alongside their companies.

See also  4 Factors That Predict Startup Success, and One That Doesn’t [Harvard Small Business]

Thanks to Halil Oguz, Mosaicenter!

---

7. Manufacture invincible strength

I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded, but each failure taught me something vital. Resilience and thick skin are essential because failure, disappointment, and criticism are constant companions. Surround yourself with people smarter than you and truly listen. Ego is the real enemy; my worst decisions came from overconfidence. Build a network based on genuine relationships, not gain. Those authentic connections will sustain and support you through your toughest moments.

Thanks to Justin Crabbe, Jettly!

8. Stay grounded and true to your passions

Success has no shortcuts, so embrace the journey. Leadership is about listening, learning, and adapting to challenges, employees, and market changes. Be patient, accept mistakes, and always keep your original vision in focus. At Firefly Farm, we’ve cultivated both plants and business growth, and I’ve learned that persistence, dedication, and genuine love for what you do are the keys to long-term success and meaningful leadership. Always surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you to grow.

Thanks to Andre Paquette, Firefly Farm and Mercantile!

9. Focus on value creation to lead effectively

One key tip for business owners is to stop chasing titles and start creating real value. Many ambitious people pursue jobs instead of solving problems. Pay attention to every part of your business operations, customer service, and finance and get hands-on experience. The best CEOs I’ve known built something meaningful before climbing any ladder. Learn to make decisions with incomplete information and develop genuine emotional intelligence motivating others, listening deeply, and adapting faster than any formal business training can teach.

Thanks to Richard Mews, Sell With Richard!

10. Cultivate curiosity and financial mastery

Curiosity distinguishes successful CEOs from the rest. I read constantly, attend challenging workshops, and seek mentorship from diverse fields. Believing you have all the answers leads to irrelevance. Master balance sheets, cash flows, and margins, because many leaders fail without understanding the numbers. Equally important is communication be able to inspire your team, negotiate with suppliers, and present confidently to boards. True leadership blends relentless learning, financial literacy, and the ability to connect and influence at every level of the business.

Thanks to Dean Rotchin, Blackjet!

11. Embrace adaptability and continuous Learning to Lead

As an entrepreneur experienced in brand strategy and operational excellence, I advise future CEOs to prioritize adaptability and continuous learning. Business landscapes evolve rapidly, so leaders must embrace innovation and leverage tools like automation and AI to stay competitive. Equally crucial is cultivating a strong company culture that values open communication, boosting team performance and retention. I’d be happy to share more detailed insights or provide additional materials to support your article, including a quick interview if that works for you.

Thanks to Steven Mitts

12. Resist abandoning your vision during setbacks

My top advice for aspiring CEOs is to focus on small, strategic adjustments rather than drastic pivots. Early in my journey at Zhejiang University, my first software products failed, and my third sold only three copies in six months. A minor business model tweak, however, boosted sales to $600 that month and $2,000 by graduation. This taught me that thoughtful, incremental improvements often create exponential growth, whereas wholesale changes risk failure. Patience and careful observation are key to spotting these opportunities, and persistence ensures they pay off.

Thanks to Chongwei Chen, DataNumen!

13. Build endurance and adaptability

Becoming a CEO is less about chasing titles and more about building endurance for uncertainty. At Fantasy.ai, I learned that leadership isn’t control it’s clarity, humility, and listening even when you think you’re right. Focus on learning faster than anyone around you. The best CEOs adapt, inspire, and make tough decisions without losing empathy. Every mistake is a growth opportunity if you remain curious and open-minded. True leadership blends resilience, continuous learning, and emotional intelligence.

Thanks to Georgi Dimitrov, Fantasy.ai!

14. Treat your business as an independent entity

My best advice is to always treat your business as a separate entity, not an extension of yourself. Though challenging at first, this mindset is essential for creating a self-sustaining company. Think of it like a teenager you’re preparing to move out once it learns to earn, manage money, and cover its own expenses, it can eventually support you. The analogy isn’t perfect, but it captures the essential lesson: independence and structure are key to long-term business success.

Thanks to Jeff Tilley, Muncly!

15. Build meaningful startups through obsession and courage

Building something meaningful begins with obsession not with the idea, but with the problem you aim to solve. Surround yourself with people who share your values and passion, willing to work for free until the first funding, because startups thrive on conviction, not certainty. Ignore naysayers and trust your instincts. Move fast, as momentum is critical. Remember, belief gets you started, but courage sustains you. True progress comes from relentless focus, aligned teams, and the bravery to keep going despite uncertainty.

Thanks to Tim Kroeger, Travel Smarter!

16. Realize that leadership is about trust, not control

At Bona Dea Naturals, I initially handled everything product development, marketing, and customer service until I learned to delegate, build systems, and rely on others’ expertise. A CEO’s role isn’t having all the answers but creating conditions for the right people to thrive. Stay adaptable, make data-driven decisions, and let go of what no longer serves growth. True leadership begins when you become the architect, not just the engine, of your business.

Thanks to Jessica Rich, Bona Dea Naturals!

17. Build scalable systems before growing teams

Many new leaders hire or scale without establishing repeatable, data-driven processes. At Corcava, automating 60% of workflows freed critical time for strategy and innovation. CEOs should see themselves as architects of scalable systems, not just people managers. The future CEO translates vision into efficient, tech-enabled processes. Master tools that provide team autonomy, automate routine tasks, and let you focus on sustainable growth that truly matters. Strong systems also create resilience, helping your business thrive during unexpected challenges.

Thanks to Gregory Shein, Corcava!

18. Navigate market shifts with flexible leadership

When we started Trafficon Digital in 2019, we assumed opportunities would grow steadily, but the pandemic reshaped the market entirely. My advice for future CEOs is to never assume you know what’s coming. Build strategies that adapt to changing client demands and employee dynamics. Avoid taking on costs you can’t cut if returns fall short. Every business faces moments requiring tough financial decisions, and the companies that survive are those with the flexibility and freedom to pivot quickly in response to shifting circumstances.

Thanks to Samuel Shepherd, Trafficon Digital!

19. Embrace chaos to excel as a CEO

Everyone wants to be a CEO until they realize it’s mostly firefighting—handling crises while anticipating the next. My advice is to fall in love with chaos. Stop chasing perfection and start enjoying the unpredictable nature of building a business; that mindset accelerates your growth as a leader. I’ve founded eight companies, and none followed the original plan. True leadership comes from navigating uncertainty, learning to adapt quickly, and thriving in the mess rather than resisting it. Celebrate small wins along the way, and always stay curious about what’s next. The ability to pivot confidently under pressure separates great CEOs from the rest.

Thanks to Deepak Shukla, Pearl Lemon Group!

20. Lead through alignment, not just ambition

21. Love the mess before trying to fix it

Many new leaders chase perfection and speed, but true strength lies in navigating uncertainty and turning friction into flow. When we expanded iMoving’s long-distance services, streamlining chaotic workflows improved efficiency by 42% only after we studied the chaos instead of resisting it. A CEO’s job is to find patterns in problems. The best leaders aren’t perfectionists; they’re adaptable strategists who turn disruption into growth.

Thanks to Meyr Aviv, iMoving!

22. Feed your passion and remind yourself daily why you started

23. Three tips

First, prepare yourself for the sheer volume of work it takes to gain traction you’ll need dedication that borders on obsession. Second, don’t confuse hard work with smart work; both are essential. Smart work means having a strategy: understand your customer and create a clear path from awareness to purchase. Finally, surround yourself with a reliable support network. The journey will get tough, and having people to lean on can make all the difference, helping you navigate challenges and stay focused on growth.

Thanks to Danyon Togia, Expert SEO!

24. Focus on learning, adapting, and evolving

Business is unpredictable, and the best leaders embrace the chaos while staying curious and continuously improving. Make decisions with imperfect information and surround yourself with people who challenge you and offer expertise where you lack it. Don’t chase the title; chase impact. Build meaningful solutions, solve real problems, and foster a culture people want to join. True leadership is serving your team, customers, and mission with vision, grit, and heart.

Thanks to Chrissy Symeonakis

25. Future-proof leadership through succession planning

Many aspiring CEOs focus on reaching the top, but lasting leaders plan succession from day one. Leadership isn’t about control, it’s about scalability. By building systems, trust, and authority that operate independently, your business gains power and value. Future-proof CEOs understand that reputation and trust are strategic assets, not just outcomes. Their role is to create an organization capable of growth even in their absence, ensuring a legacy that endures beyond their tenure and sets the stage for continued success.

Thanks to Petra Zink, The360Talent.Co!

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a CEO in the future? Tell us in the comments below. Don’t forget to join our #IamCEOCommunity