Have you ever wondered what your CEO does?  They often seem to be invisible, never in the office, often half way across the world, talking to investors or giving presentations.  Surely they should be running the business.  But that's not their job.

CEOs are not operators, but visionary navigators

While many assume the CEO "runs" the business, the truth is that day-to-day operations should be in the hands of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

HA capable SLT means the CEO's operational involvement is minimal—focused on rare, high-stakes decisions that require their unique perspective or authority.

Understand: If a CEO finds themselves micromanaging, it signals a trust or recruitment failure.

CEOs thrive in the external world

Representing the company: CEOs act as the primary outward-facing representative of the business.

Stakeholder engagement: This includes investors, customers, employees, community leaders, and policymakers.

Vision alignment: CEOs help all stakeholders align with the company’s vision, ensuring trust and shared direction.

Understand: CEOs are stewards of the company's brand, reputation, and strategic relationships.

The leadership paradox: heavy responsibilities that aren't easily defined

CEOs are the embodiment of the company’s mission and vision, ensuring that these values drive internal and external initiatives.

They make unpopular but necessary decisions while avoiding overreach into areas best handled by their SLT.

Understand: The job can feel isolating and thankless because much of its success relies on what doesn't go wrong, making it easy for others to overlook the CEO’s contributions.

The comfort zone trap

Poor CEOs may retreat into familiar operational roles, disrupting the organization and undermining their SLT.

Great CEOs embrace discomfort, focusing on leadership and strategic vision rather than meddling in day-to-day processes.

Understand: Effective CEOs resist the temptation to interfere, trusting and empowering their team to execute.

 The best CEOs balance high-level vision with external advocacy, creating an environment where their SLT thrives while ensuring the company’s values and goals resonate far beyond its walls. This perspective is invaluable for leadership development, helping aspiring CEOs redefine what leadership at the top truly means.

 If you’re CEO struggling to define your role. visit us at www.defyexpectations.co.uk