Do you have ambitions to join the ranks of the C-suite? Carolyn Dean, director at Hewsons Executive Coaching, and Kevin McMahon, a partner at Auckland-based Stepshift, are both highly experienced in helping candidates achieve this goal and make a successful transition into their new role.

Here are their tips for success:

1. Be clear about what you want to achieve

According to Dean, the privilege and responsibilities of an executive role are often overlooked. “If you’re looking in that direction, I believe the first thing you should ask yourself is why do you want a role at that level?” she says. “The higher up you go, the more opportunity you have to make change, so you should be clear about the difference you want to make and what you plan to bring to the job.”

 2. Assess your attributes

“Anyone aspiring to a senior executive position needs to assess themselves against the role,” says McMahon. “What core strengths will you bring to, and leverage, in your new position? Where and how can you further develop your skills, leadership abilities and approach to ensure you will excel?”

3. Gain feedback

Strengthen your self-assessment by canvassing feedback. “Quality feedback from key stakeholders is an important foundation for quantifying your C-suite transition,” says McMahon.

4. Cultivate soft skills

Leadership today requires excellence in soft skills – the ability to listen, engage, inspire, and influence. “If you want to be a highly effective C-level executive, you should also be prepared to walk the talk when it comes to your organisation’s values,” says Dean.

5. Be seen

If your organisation is likely to promote from within, you need to make yourself known to executives as someone with the potential to take on a more senior role. “Work hard to understand their concerns, interests, and intentions so you can help them accomplish their goals,” says Dean.

6. Prepare for transition

Progressing to a CFO or COO role is a big step up in terms of leadership. “It’s crucial that you quantify, discuss, and plan for this, so the transition starts ahead of the job,” says McMahon.

7. Think systemically

“We’re moving into an era of systemic thinking, where executives engage with their peers and understand the business as a whole,” says Dean.

8. Draft your plan

McMahon advises ambitious managers to reflect on what they consider most important about transitioning into a more senior role, both from personal and professional perspectives. “Take time to discuss this with those you are close to,” he says.

What is the C-suite?

The C-suite is a phrase used to describe the upper echelons of a corporation’s senior executives and managers. C-suite gets its name from the titles of top senior executives which tend to start with the letter C, including the chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO), and chief information officer (CIO).

Is C-suite higher than VP?

VPs or Vice Presidents typically report to C-level executives. For example, a VP of Marketing would report to the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) or directly to the CEO, depending on the company structure. C-level executives, on the other hand, usually report to the Board of Directors and are responsible for the company's overall performance. 

What are B-suite executives?

B-suite executives consist of mid-level managers who report to directors (D-suite). They make sure daily tasks run smoothly and are commonly in charge of facilitating any major changes in an organisation and creating a productive work environment for employees. Examples of B-suite executives include branch managers, department managers and regional managers.

What are D-Suite executives?

D-suite are directors, they sit above B-suite and report to VPs. Examples of D-suite executives include directors of sales, marketing directors, HR directors and operations directors.