The opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
If you want your company to grow, start by developing yourself as a leader. I know this first hand. Since 1998, I have started and grown three companies in Mexico and the United States. My success as a CEO is largely due to learning from other top CEOs and how they grow, lead, and manage their companies.
Based on these insights, I developed a three-part system to help leaders grow and scale their impact. I call this the CEO Management System.
This system outlines how the world’s top CEOs can create 10x impact with minimal drama. This is a roadmap based on proven strategies from the world’s best leaders. It’s a strategy that challenges traditional business norms while delivering the CEO’s desired outcomes: organizational success and personal fulfillment.
The CEO Management System consists of three core areas:
Focus on yourself Focus on your team Focus on your company
What kind of CEO are you? Two types of leaders
When Satya Nadella became CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was losing its competitive edge. His predecessor, Steve Ballmer, overlooked trends like social media and apps. Microsoft was worth $281 billion at the time. But just 10 years later, under Satya’s leadership, Microsoft was valued at $1.4 trillion.
Satya’s story shows an intentional approach to leadership. His success lies in knowing how to find the right opportunities and execute them with precision. So what kind of leader do you want to be? Are you ready to embrace new ways of thinking and lead like Sathya, or are you content to be a leader who just follows the standard path?
After more than a decade of coaching top CEOs in Latin America, I can tell you that scaling a business starts with the decision: Are you ready to grow as a leader?
Building a personal system to excel as a CEO
Most CEOs aren’t ready to lead from day one. They start out as passionate entrepreneurs with a vision. But as your company grows, so do your responsibilities, from salaries to organizational costs. The transition from pursuing a dream to being responsible for the lives of your employees is difficult.
You need a personal system to guide your growth. Like an oxygen mask on a plane, if you don’t prioritize your own health, you’ll have a hard time helping others. CEOs who bring drama into their lives inevitably bring drama into their companies. When individuals thrive, we build a thriving corporate culture.
This is why the first step in a CEO management system is to create a personal system that allows you to:
Think higher, lead teams effectively, and seamlessly integrate work and life.
These pillars are essential to increasing impact while reducing drama. Being a CEO is about living with purpose and making an impact. Focus on building that foundation.
1. Routines set you free.
One of the most powerful lessons I learned from Vern Harnisch is that routine is liberating. Establishing a morning routine is critical to freeing yourself from stress, anxiety, and drama. Starting your day disciplined increases your resilience, focus, and clarity.
I’m a member of the Robin Sharma-inspired 5 am club, where I get up at 5 a.m. every morning and start my day with a brisk 45-minute walk or run on the treadmill while watching a course to expand my thinking. I am. I’m working on fitness. Then, have a cup of coffee and do a 5-10 minute meditation session using the Headspace app. By the time my son wakes up at 7am, I have already invested two hours into myself and am ready to share my time and energy with my family and team.
I encourage all CEOs to wake up at least two hours earlier than the rest of their family. Use that time for yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Dividends are earned quickly and last for a long time.
Related: The power of routine
2. 25-year framework
Every transformational organization I have met has a Massive Transformation Purpose (MTP). This long-term vision aligns with the company, drives growth and helps leaders stay focused and resilient.
Dan Sullivan’s 25 Year Framework is an invaluable approach for me. Thinking in terms of 25 years (or 100 quarters) gives you the patience and clarity to focus on sustainable, high-impact goals. We often overestimate what we can accomplish in a single year, but underestimate what we can accomplish over decades. Long-term thinking is essential to true growth and is a key element of a high-level CEO’s mindset.
Related: The mindset you need to cultivate for long-term success
3. Design your personal breakthrough
Continuously engineering personal breakthroughs is key to effective leadership. This is done by developing commitment, courage, competence and confidence.
At the Growth Institute, for example, we’re driven by a mission to increase impact and reduce drama. To achieve this goal, I began searching for the best books, mentors, and courses to deepen my knowledge. This will accelerate my growth, hone my abilities and strengthen my confidence. I can confidently perform at a higher level, which benefits the team and the company.
When you commit to these practices, you’ll witness a significant change in your leadership and company’s performance. Investing in your own growth will pay dividends many times over, not only for you but also for your organization.