New jobs for CEOs in the year 2010

The challenges for a CEO are never easy in good years. The challenges will be sharper as CEOs try to guide their firms out of the 2009 economic situation. CEOs need to focus on three areas for a start. In my view the 3 new roles for the CEOs in year 2010 will be following –

1- Chief Engagement Officer

2- Chief Education Officer

3- Chief Ecosystem Officer

The year 2009 has shaken the confidence of employee in most firms. Managers in India were in a Camelot phase till 2009. The behavior of the successful people and firms are arrogance, greed, and complacency. Fear, helplessness and hope are the emotions of a tough situation. In 2010, employee choice will be shaped by emotion. The year 2009 saw a lower engagement in most firms as CEOs and their immediate teams were struggling to calm down the situation. CEOs need to start engaging quickly; else 2010 will be the same as 2009. The engagement should aim for creating freedom with fence. By being the chief engagement officer, the CEO will be able to get a quick sense of what’s happening, and be able to provide a balanced diet of reality and hope to employee.

The history shows that companies that learn and relearn faster always come out successful. Every firm will have a new way of approaching 2010 based on 2009 learning. The CEO need to be a doctor and diagnose the learning symptoms of his firm. Education will be the day job of the leader with his immediate leaders in 2010. The CEO will need to assume the role of an adviser or a consultant when he educates his immediate team and the large firm. As the chief education officer, the CEO will sow the seeds of a learning organization.

All firms have a network of partners and relationships in their ecosystem. Most firms will be looking to have stronger allies as they attempt to win in 2010. Many leaders at every level in the firm are involved in maintaining these ecosystem relationships. By being the chief ecosystem officer, the CEO will extend his influence beyond the boundaries of his firm to a larger canvas that offers solutions to a consumer. It will also help the CEO sharpen business model of his firm.

The CEO will need to focus on engagement, education, and the ecosystem. These three will help the CEO to win in 2010.