The Modern CEO

Mindset and skillset for CEOs in the 2020s.

About the Modern CEO

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Business is nothing like it was 20 years ago yet we cling to the methods and styles of leaders of old. It’s time for something new, it’s time for the Modern CEO. 

Modern business is fast moving, businesses need to constantly adapt to fast changing market conditions, customers have ever higher expectations for quality and service, COVID has irrevocably transformed the workplace, start-ups have toppled giants, technology has reshaped every aspect of businesses and will do again in the next 10 years.  

The Modern CEO knows they can’t rely on the tried and trusted business playbooks of old. The business mindset they inherited from their predecessors is out of date and often ineffective.  It calls for a reinvention of the CEO. 

Where before success was measured solely by share prices there is a responsibility incumbent to the Modern CEO to demonstrate success on the keynote stage, to take responsibility for the lives of their employees and dependents. To lead their customers and ultimately become a force for positive change in the world.

Joe will help you navigate these modern challenges, to embrace these great responsibilities, to lead from a place of power and ultimately create a remarkable legacy.  

Writing and Creating in Public

Rather than write a book, publish and gather feedback, I’ll be creating the book in public, below you can read and watch each chapter.

This is not a playbook, this is a call to action for you to create your own playbook. 

This book doesn’t have to be linear. You can jump to any section, you can take a photo of any page and share it with a colleague. This book doesn’t have to be read from start to end. I encourage you to bend the corners, write your notes, make this your own. 

Many of the mindset shifts in this book have changed lives. But you probably won’t agree with everything I say., That’s OK, I’m not attached to being right  and neither should you, but I encourage you to email me to tell me why Joe@mrjoe.uk

Part 1: Challenge

Mindset and skillset to deal with constant challenge and change. To gain clarity to thrive with uncertainty to move beyond control.  

• The goose and the bottle
• Master the Inner Game to Lead Better
• Mastering the Inner Game (continuation)
• Letting go of being right
• Am I doing this RIGHT?
• Scarcity and Abundance / Thriving in uncertainty
• Thriving Beyond Survival as a CEO
• Getting great at being punched in the face
• Managing Your Internal and External Board*
• The Dangers of Open Loops…
• The Power of Running Towards Problems: Conquering Challenges as a CEO
• Your instinct is your guide your mind is your…
• Screw incremental, it’s a game of snakes and ladders
• Deciding How You Turn Up
• Translating Culture into Guidance*
• It all starts with culture…

Part 2: Power 

What is power and why it is good and bad. True power is letting go of control; dying before you ever go into battle. 

Mindset and skillset to become the CEO you need to be. To keynote, communicate and lead in your own unique way. To feel comfortable, to feel effortless.

• Letting go of beliefs
• Questions before answers 
• Expectations are Dangerous
• Don’t mow your own lawn
• Growth can only come when you move past fear
• Better to be bold than boring
• Play your own game
• Everyone wants to be a winner. What separates the winners
• Stop with the bullshit cliches, the buck doesn’t stop…
• It’s irresponsible to not share responsibility
• This is effortless and fun
• Reinvention or shouting at cows
• … it ends with culture

Part 3: Legacy 

Mindset and skillset to fully embrace the power you have. Craft the ‘you’ that leads your team, leads your board, leads your shareholder, leads your customers and most importantly changes the world.

• There are only 2 people you need to impress: Your 8-Year-Old and 80-Year-Old Self
• Transcending shareholder value
• Embrace your power
• I like your manifesto now let’s put it to the Test-o
• The whisper and the shout
• Why CEOs Should Embrace Vacation Time: Finding the Balance Between Control and Trust
• Family and work is a blend, not a balance
• But really, why are YOU here?