A Journey to a More Successful Business

Posted 01/08/2012

By Dick Cross

This year’s ASRW keynote speaker excited about opportunity to launch new AutoInc. column based on his best-selling book, “Just Run It.”

It’s that shallow, last breath before taking the field for the championship game. In front of the hometown crowd. A swirling inhalation of anticipations with no small measure of angst … because you’ve decided to expose yourself … No, not that way! …. to everyone in the stadium. Only this stadium is bigger. A lot bigger.

That’s how I feel about launching this column in AutoInc.

Yes, I do have a best-selling book and lots of articles in fancy places about how to run a business. And I’ve done a lot of it. But this time, I’ve decided to show you all of it. Things that have gone great. As well as those that haven’t.

Each month, I’ll give you some of both. From my own stores and from others’ too. So you’ll never see “The Seven Keys to blah, blah, blah” coming from me. If that’s what you want, read something else.

This is about real life. At the top of an organization. What works and doesn’t. And about the consequences in either case. Big organizations and small. Then, it’ll be up to you to decide how much of it to absorb into your own life.

Without a dram of hesitation or modesty, I’ll tell you exactly what I’ve found out, the hard way, about how to be a great CEO. About how to do a great job at the top. Because from the knot on my noggin to the very soles of my feet … I know that your performance in that role is the greatest determinant of success in your business. And of the impact you’ll have in other people’s lives. And that nothing else even comes close. If you want a great business, you need to know this stuff! It’s as simple as that.

But get ready for a wild ride. Because I am obsessed. With finding out the TRUTH about what makes a great CEO. Hands-on. For myself, not from others.

Accordingly, some of my viewpoints are full frontal assaults to everything else you’ve ever heard about management and leadership. Which comes mostly from people who’ve never run anything. Which might be why so many people in jobs at the top do them so poorly.

But doing that job well, even great, really isn’t all that hard. In fact, it’s fun. And for many, deciding to pursue excellence in that role puts them on a path for a lifetime of fascination and satisfaction with getting better, and better … and with stacking up the positive contributions you’ve made to others.

Throughout 2013, each new installment will deliver immediately actionable advice on what I know are the two key responsibilities of the job at the top, and on how to do it very well.

First, how to think like a CEO … so you can drive your business with crystal clarity and heart-felt conviction. And, second, how to handle yourself like a CEO … so you can inspire your organization to give you all they’ve got and to support your intentions with tireless and unswerving zeal.

It ought to be some fun.

Looking forward to next time!

Dick Cross is a business adviser and the best-selling author of “Just Run It.”