Five tips for a great CEO statement | Koan (2024)

It’s a fixture with most reports. It’s also a great communications opportunity. But putting together an interview with your CEO – or writing a CEO statement – isn’t always straightforward.

Here are five tips to make your life easier – and help your CEO shine

  1. Have something to say. Define 2-3 clear messages you want get across. Focus on these messages. Don’t get distracted by other agendas. Remember the CEO letter will probably be the most widely-read section of your report.
  2. Be simple and concise. Be clear and direct in your language. Don’t use jargon. Don’t try to be too technical. And keep the text as short as possible. The best CEO statements we’ve read tend to be 600-700 words in total.
  3. Address the real issues. Concentrate on the issues that matter – where you have most impact. If you’re a steelmaker, for example, that’s likely to be the environment or health & safety. And don’t be afraid of negative issues. Remember, whether negative or positive, if the issue is an important one, stakeholders want to hear what your CEO has to say.
  4. Be personal. Leadership is important. CEOs set the tone. Your readers want to know what the CEO thinks. How much of a priority are these issues, exactly? What kind of commitment does the CEO bring to this? How does it fit with his /her vision and strategy for the company?
  5. Look forward (not back). Don’t spend too much time looking back. Let the rest of the report deal with the previous year. It’s the CEO’s job to look forward – to set an agenda.
Five tips for a great CEO statement | Koan (1)

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

The CEO statement is embedded in reporting rules. It’s part of the Global Reporting Initiative’s general disclosures. You can choose the format, however. An interview is often less formal; it also makes it easier to get at difficult issues. Whatever format you choose, it should fit with the ‘style’ and approach of your CEO. And it should also fit your audience – are you talking to stakeholders or just to investors, for example?

However you approach this, the CEO statement is a chance to get your message out there. Make the most of it.

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Five tips for a great CEO statement | Koan (2024)

FAQs

Five tips for a great CEO statement | Koan? ›

Address the CEO by their proper title, such as "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their last name. Keep the message brief and to the point. Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your message in a few sentences. Be specific about what you are asking for or the purpose of your message.

How to write a good CEO message? ›

Address the CEO by their proper title, such as "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their last name. Keep the message brief and to the point. Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your message in a few sentences. Be specific about what you are asking for or the purpose of your message.

How to be a great CEO? ›

How to be a good CEO
  1. Keep your stakeholders in mind. ...
  2. Establish your vision. ...
  3. Keep your employees engaged. ...
  4. Maintain consistent communication. ...
  5. Embrace change. ...
  6. Promote diversity. ...
  7. Be willing to learn. ...
  8. Serve as a positive example.
Jul 2, 2024

What is the difference between a good CEO and a bad CEO? ›

What's the difference between a good CEO and a bad CEO? The simple answer is effectiveness. Good CEOs are effective and use that effectiveness to build and lead effective organizations that build enduring companies; bad CEOs don't. Good CEOs understand and promote the operational values that drive effectiveness.

What should a CEO statement be? ›

The best CEO statements we've read tend to be 600-700 words in total. Address the real issues. Concentrate on the issues that matter – where you have most impact. If you're a steelmaker, for example, that's likely to be the environment or health & safety.

What makes a good CEO quotes? ›

Getting to the heart of the matter
  • “You have to be very nimble and very open-minded. ...
  • “It's not about how to get started; it's about how to get noticed.” – ...
  • “Your reputation is more important than your paycheck, and your integrity is worth more than your career.” – ...
  • “Be undeniably good.

What are three best traits that portray a good CEO? ›

Five top qualities of a CEO
  • Vision. A CEO should have a clear direction in which they want to steer their business. ...
  • Receptiveness. It is crucial to listen to others around you. ...
  • Motivation. ...
  • Adaptability. ...
  • Trust.

What makes a CEO powerful? ›

The qualities of a successful CEO include foresight for future planning, adaptability to changing circ*mstances, reliability to maintain trust, teamwork for effective decision-making, and decency to build strong relationships.

What is CEO weakness? ›

KEY CONCEPT. The greatest weakness of CEOs is their lack of people management and talent management skills, according to a Stanford Graduate School of Business survey of Boards of Directors.

What a CEO should not do? ›

5 Things a CEO Should Never Do
  • Avoid risks—It is your job as CEO to be a risk manager for the company. ...
  • Relying on the tried and true—It's easy to get stuck in our ways. ...
  • Being a martyr—A martyr is one who sacrifices self for a cause in which he or she deeply believes.

What is more powerful than a CEO? ›

Since the board chairperson is superior to the CEO, the CEO has to get the board chairperson to approve any significant moves. While the board chairperson has the ultimate power over the CEO, the two typically discuss all issues and effectively co-lead the organization.

How do you know if a CEO is a good CEO? ›

12 traits of successful CEOs
  1. Optimism. It's important for leaders to be optimistic at work. ...
  2. Acceptance. Another trait of successful CEOs is acceptance. ...
  3. Loyalty. Loyalty is important because with it, a CEO can inspire loyalty in their employees. ...
  4. Understanding. ...
  5. Trustworthy. ...
  6. Inspirational. ...
  7. Confidence. ...
  8. Critical thinking.
Jul 1, 2024

How do you write a good CEO speech? ›

Avoid jargon, acronyms, and complex sentences that can confuse or bore your audience. Use short, active, and direct sentences that convey your message clearly and confidently. Use repetition, contrast, parallelism, and emphasis to highlight your key points and create a rhythm and flow.

What is an example of a CEO welcome message? ›

What is the best CEO welcome message to new employees? Welcome aboard! We're thrilled to have you join our team and can't wait to see all the great things you'll accomplish here. Our company core values will guide us every step of the way as we work together.

How do you message your CEO? ›

How to Effectively Email a CEO or Business Owner in 5 Easy Steps
  1. Write a short, yet descriptive subject line. ...
  2. Keep it short. ...
  3. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes. ...
  4. Provide context for your question. ...
  5. Include important reporting details. ...
  6. Conclusion.

How do you write a positive business message? ›

Some short positive messages are: "Keep up the good work." "I am happy to help you with whatever you need." "Thank you for your help yesterday."

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