I am working on a project where I get to interview the top-level Chief Marketing Officer from many of the world’s largest companies and best-known brands. We get to chat for thirty minutes, and, from my conversations, I have picked up five key attributes of these senior marketing leaders. If someday, you’d like a top-level marketing job – this list can be helpful and a reminder of how senior marketing leaders behave.
Five Characteristics of Top-Level Chief Marketing Officers
- They are highly strategic. Conversations always come back to strategy, not the day-to-day tactics. They frequently share that their work centers on asking the right questions and working on the company’s real problems. They are highly focused, and the conversation often reflects that they don’t get distracted by bright, shiny objects.
- They think and pause before responding to a question. When asked a question, they listen, pause, and then respond. They tend to be thoughtful and work hard to be helpful. I notice they are quiet when I speak – listening attentively and responding to my specific question.
- They believe in people more than process. I sense that although they are highly disciplined, they recognize that they must be empathic and compassionate managers to motivate and lead their teams. We don’t talk as much about marketing tech stacks or process issues – but how to be as human as possible. Although they are subject matter experts, they avoid jargon and “marketing speak” to clarify what they mean.
- They are immensely curious – but not only about marketing topics. The range of interests they want to understand is broad – so they can be well-informed about cultural, social, and political trends. This group of CMOs are comfortable in almost any setting and work hard to make me, as the interviewer, relaxed. When I read their LinkedIn profiles – they do a terrific job of being consistent and authentic with who shows up for the Zoom calls.
- They take their relationships with other C-Suite members seriously. Often, I hear them share that they want to be close to their peers within their leadership team so they understand their challenges. These CMOS never lose sight of the big picture and celebrate being part of a leadership team. They see the C-Suite as allies, not competitors, and collaboration is their mantra, but they are always willing to challenge or be challenged.
Top of the Game for a Chief Marketing Officer
Not every marketer wants to become a Chief Marketing Officer, but when you talk to people at the top of their profession, you can’t miss some emerging behavioral patterns.
Whether you want to move from assistant marketing manager to marketing manager, director, or VP, talking to folks at the top can give you a chance to learn how they got to these significant marketing leadership roles.
Link To The Future
One piece of advice I’d offer if you want to continue to move up the marketing ladder is to reach out on LinkedIn to people who are a level or two above you. Ask if they would be willing to connect and that you want to get one or two pieces of advice on what it takes to work at their level. Most people love to give advice – and if you are open to learning, you can get some great tips on preparing for the next rung of the ladder.
Broadening your network is always helpful.
So is getting advice from more senior people in your field but not necessarily within your industry or vertical. I recall getting constructive suggestions from a few folks I have only met virtually through LinkedIn. Several insights have stuck with me for years and provided helpful guidance on my journey.
Want to get to the next level? Befriend someone at the next marketing level to you on LinkedIn and ask for their advice.
You’ll be amazed at how helpful senior leaders can be if you ask professionally.
You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. The conversation is free, and we can explore if working together makes sense. Watch a short video about working with me.
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
