My 7 step CEO framework (free):

Did Mark Zuckerberg really say that? Apparently so.

My first business card was nonsense too. “El Capitān” it read. Complete with an accent mark over the second “a”. Total douchebaggery.

In the early days, founders make up funny names because tittles don’t matter. You’re a founder first. Survival is everything.

But one day you need to own the role. Not as founder, but as a real CEO.

Most founders never make this transition. Early success creates false confidence. They become the bottleneck. The company stagnates. The board replaces them.

I was dangerously close myself.

⁂

The trap no one talks about

When I evaluate investments, or Highland applications, I always check one thing… their signature.

Does it say:

“Founder & CEO” or “CEO & Founder”

Subtle, but telling. Founder-first (for too long) means they’re stuck in builder-mode. CEO-first means their attempting to scale. .

I still remember switching my signature. We needed to grow up as a company. I needed to grow up as a leader. This small change declared my intent: to become the best CEO possible.

Even so, I struggled. At one point, I almost got booted from the company by one of my own investors. That lit a fire to figure out the role once and for all. And eventually, I did.

After working with hundreds of CEOs, I’ve learned that failure in the CEO role:

• Is not a vision thing (usually)

• Is not a skill thing (usually)

• Is not a leadership thing (usually)

They simply don’t understand what a CEO does.

No surprise. Most founders are thrust into the role with zero training. Most have never managed a team. I hadn’t.

But this makes me optimistic. More founders can become great CEOs than they realize. They just need to understand what great looks like.

⁂

What a Top CEO Actually Does

The role of CEO shouldn’t be a mystery.

This week’s article lays the blueprint for becoming a great CEO. Seven core responsibilities that separate the top 1% from everyone else.

Here’s the first three. Then visit the article for the rest. I packed it with more resources and templates than anything I’ve ever written. Nail this list and you’re on your way to legend status.

⁂

I. Provide Absolute Clarity 

Great CEOs get their team rowing in the same direction. No exceptions. Never forget these three questions:

• Purpose: Why are we here?

• Direction: Where are we going?

• Progress: How are we doing?

The CEO’s #1 job is to make sure everyone on the team knows the answers at all times. Story telling is a skill you must master.

Here’s the Northstar framework we use in Highland to do exactly that (filled out for Highland the company):

To get this template for your own team, visit this week’s article and you can download it for free.

⁂

II. Build a Reliable Operating Rhythm 

Companies are chaos. Your job as CEO? Create order.

CEOs must build predictability in unpredictable environments. This means establishing an operating cadence the whole company follows.

• Annual Rhythm: your 12-month calendar with key annual activities

• Quarterly Rhythm: your quarterly calendar with key quarterly activities

• Monthly Rhythm: your monthly calendar with key monthly activities

Here’s an example of the quarterly rhythm I teach in Highland.

This creates massive alignment & accountability, reinforcing the clarity from step 1.

⁂

III. Set the Cultural Standards 

What does ‘great’ look like to you? As CEO, you define and defend standards across four critical areas:

• Brand – How we present ourselves to the world

• Product – The quality bar we never cross below

• Performance – What excellent work looks like here

• Leadership – How we show up every day

The job of CEO is to hold the line as you grow. You’ll face pressure from investors, customers, employees. Don’t back down.

Write down your company’s standards. Communicate them regularly. Model them yourself. And, don’t compromise…

This is how you scale without losing your soul!

For the full article and list, go here:
⤷ What a Top CEO Actually Does (7 Essential Responsibilities)

Lets goooooooooooooooo!

Till next time,

Never say die 🏴‍☠️

Scot

~~~

P.S. I’m excited for this Wednesday…