The CEO Next Door Quotes

“Come with a plan that identifies what is happening, the ultimate impact to the business, the root cause, and the roadmap to address it. If the plan is not yet clear, discuss what you need to know or what help you require to get there. An occasional “I don’t know. We’ll look into it and get back to you” builds a lot more trust and credibility than trying to wing it.”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“Discuss forward-looking early-warning operating metrics, not just the rear-view prior-month revenue and profits. By the time you miss P&L targets, it is too late to adjust course.”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“Apologize if an apology is warranted and then move on. Don’t let your energy wane or your tone become obsequious. Discuss forward-looking early-”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“of the six responsibilities of a good board. They are to: 1) Hire and fire the CEO and hold her accountable. 2) Agree on strategic vision and plans. 3) Agree to an annual budget. 4) Advise on any substantive risks. 5) Approve the annual audit. 6) Don’t get in the way.”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so. —Mark Twain”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“How consistently you articulate and model the behaviors you seek 2. Where you put your time and attention 3. Whom you hire, fire, and promote”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“paraphrase Groucho Marx: Learn from the mistakes of others, or you may not be in the job long enough to make them all yourself.”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“1. Does the business, or the division, or the team, have a shot at success, with or without you? 2. Are your strengths a true match for their needs? And 3. Are your style and values a match to the context and culture?”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“In our experience, down-to-earth storytelling, drawing on memorable results, is vastly more powerful than a cerebral, academic style.”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“effect.”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“If I am not uncomfortable, then I am probably not learning or changing fast enough.”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders

“Under pressure, you do not rise to the occasion; you sink to your level of training.”
― Elena L. Botelho, The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors that Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders