Building Trust, Boss vs CEO

Haaaappy Friday,

My first job out of college was doing business development for a large construction company. I came up with an idea to put together teams to design, build, finance, and construct very large alternative energy projects. This was 1984. When I shared the idea with the CEO, he was stoked, and after that, he regularly sought me out to discuss strategy and progress. We led and built several very successful projects.

I kept my boss informed, but he showed little interest. “Too unorthodox”. Then, at my performance review, he dropped the hammer. “You’re not as smart as you think you are! You need to spend a couple of years in a trailer at a job site,” etc. 

When you're an employee, focusing solely on the good of the company isn't enough. it turns out there‘s a lot of CYA when you're not the CEO. I shoulda credited my boss somehow.

Today, having been both CEO and boss, it's obvious. Only the CEO prioritizes the organization above ALL else. The buck only stops there. Everyone else in the organization has a subtle, but slightly higher priority - being viewed favorably. Nothing wrong with that. But good to know when building trust.

Building trust requires awareness of others’ priorities and navigating accordingly. I asked ChatGPT to weigh in, and it offered some specifics:

Is building trust with your boss different than building trust with the CEO?

ChatGPT

"Yes, building trust with your boss and building trust with the CEO may involve some nuanced differences due to the distinct nature of these relationships. Here are some considerations:

Building Trust with Your Boss:

1.     Understanding Expectations: Knowing what they value and prioritize can help you align your efforts accordingly.

2.     Communication Style: Adapt your communication style to your boss's preferences, e.g., regular updates, concise summaries, etc.

3.     Meeting Deadlines: Consistently meet deadlines and deliver on your commitments. 

4.     Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback from your boss. This demonstrates your openness to improvement and your commitment to performing well in your role.

5.     Support Their Goals: Understand your boss's professional goals and support them in achieving them. 

Building Trust with the CEO:

1.     Strategic Alignment: Align your contributions with the CEO's vision and the company's strategic direction. 

2.     Results-Oriented Approach: Demonstrate how your work contributes to the overall success of the company and its bottom line.

3.     Executive Presence: CEOs value employees who can represent the organization effectively.

4.     Initiative: CEOs appreciate employees who proactively identify opportunities and challenges.

5.     Build Relationships Across Departments: CEOs appreciate employees who can foster collaboration and break down silos."

Demonstrate how your work contributes to the organization's overall success while also addressing your immediate supervisor's specific concerns and goals. This dual focus can help you build trust and be perceived positively by both your boss and the CEO.

Punchline: Building trust with anyone, be it the public, clients, peers, supervisors, or CEOs, begins with an an understanding of their true top priorities.

Have a great weekend!

Dave

Feedback and blowback are always welcome: dave@goodnewsfriday.com

Access 51 past topics @ goodnewsfriday.com

Written by me and ChatGPT, with speed assist and blunder avoidance by Grammarly.