The CEO Difference: How to Climb, Crawl, and Leap Your Way to the Next Level of Your Career
INTRODUCTION 1
PART I: HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR THINKING
CHAPTER 1 Be Self-Confident 21
CHAPTER 2 Be Trusted 45
CHAPTER 3 Be Optimistic and Easyto Get Along With 57
CHAPTER 4 Clamor for Information and Insight 67
PART II: HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR BEINGCHAPTER 5 Look Your Best 85
CHAPTER 6 Be a Self-Starter 113
CHAPTER 7 Pour Your Heart into Your Art 119
PART III: HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR ACTIONS
CHAPTER 8 Do a Stellar Job 129
CHAPTER 9 Take Calculated Risks 139
CHAPTER 10 Communicate Well witha Diverse Group 153
CHAPTER 11 Don’t Be a Sycophant 167
CHAPTER 12 Cause Others to Do Well 175
CONCLUSION 187
INDEX 191
When it comes to getting ahead today, your talent and experience matter. The problem is, someone else going for the promotion or business opportunity has a résumé that’s as good as, if not better than, yours.
If you want to get ahead, you have to be different. You have to stand out from the crowd. You have to get decision makers to talk about you.
No one understands what it takes to succeed in today’s business landscape better than D. A. (Debra) Benton. A globally recognized consultant, Benton has spent more than 20 years helping business professionals like you perform better and achieve more.
In The CEO Difference, Benton gives you the insight and tools to make subtle changes in your presentation, attitude, and leadership style that will dramatically increase your leadership effectiveness—and, consequently, help you enjoy work and life. Learn how to differentiate yourself with tangible steps to get where you want to go:
- Authentically and effectively differentiate yourself in appropriate ways
- Inspire teams and organizations to be more productive and prosperous
- Understand yourself, change your mindset, and present yourself in a way that people are receptive to
- Create, manage, and mentor successful individuals and teams
- Remain intellectually curious while making meaningful contributions to your organization
Competition for the top spot has never been fiercer. “Today, you have to exceed in a group of ‘exceeders,’” Benton writes.
But it’s not all about improving your job performance. You are already knowledgeable, competent, and hard-working. It’s about doing typical things in atypical ways. It’s about doing things that add organizational value—without being asked. It’s about having what your competitors don’t: The CEO Difference.
Praise for The CEO Difference
“In our competitive world, finding a way to differentiate oneself is a key to success. Benton profiles a range of tried-and-true differentiators that can make all the difference.”
—Jim Goldman, President and CEO, Godiva Chocolatier
“After reading this book, you’ll understand why D. A. Benton is ranked one of the world’s Top 10 CEO coaches. She provides a succinct, real-world summary of what it takes for senior executives to differentiate themselves in an ever more competitive world.”
—Daryl Brewster , CEO, CECP (Committee for Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy); former CEO, Krispy Kreme; and former President, Nabisco
“Benton does it again! A great how-to book to boost you the last little way to the top (and be loved while doing it!).”
—Reuben Mark , retired Chairman and CEO, Colgate-Palmolive Company
“Benton offers practical advice to aspiring leaders to help them authentically and effectively differentiate themselves in the workplace. A very worthy read.”
—Doug las R. Conant, Chairman, Avon Products, and former President, CEO, and Director, Campbell Soup Company
“D. A. Benton is a trusted advisor for CEOs and leaders. She coaches her clients to not only be the best leader they can be, but also on how they can best create, manage, and mentor successful individuals and teams.”
—Deanna Mulligan, President and CEO, The Guardian Life InsuranceCompany of America