Not all CEOs are the charismatic leaders depicted in magazines. Charm alone doesn’t make a good CEO. However, a minimum level of confidence and a base level of interpersonal skills are usually required for CEOs to be successful. If you are a founder who does not have these traits, simply bring someone onto the team who does. Find your complement.

One symptom that demonstrates a lack of the core CEO skills is your ability to explain your business in your first meeting with a VC. If you find that you are so nervous that you need to write out all of your answers to every possible question in that meeting so that you can read your answers from a paper in the meeting, it is time to re-evaluate your role in the business.

To many, this suggestion may sound obvious. However, VCs see a large volume of presenters and this scenario happens from time to time. If you find yourself wanting to read from a script, be honest with yourself, figure out what your strengths are and find someone to help you. It’s a misconception that you have to be the CEO to be successful. The key to success is playing to your strengths so that you are positioned to succeed.

Comments

[James Gillmore]

I liked that...Not that I'm that person--because I am the CEO guy with the charisma and all that (not to be cocky or anything, just for the sake of real conversation). But, it tells me what role I am playing exactly and reminds me of that. And also, sometimes I do represent other people's ideas, and I can't be as charismatic/assertive or whatever you want to call if I don't have the concept down pat enough that I have read from a script. Your posting reminded me of how important it is to just be prepared lol.