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Effective executives are those who can use their brains to get to the truth of the matter when everything seems muddled.


Executive Intelligence

Key traits of stellar executive leaders

According to author Justin Menkes (Executive Intelligence, Collins, 306 pages, $31.95), effective executives are those who can use their brains to get to the truth of the matter when everything seems muddled. Menkes notes that great executives are outstanding critical thinkers.

He defines 17 essential skills that allow managers to think through problems, forming what he calls executive intelligence:

  • Define a problem and differentiate essential objectives from less relevant concerns.

  • Anticipate obstacles to achieving objectives and identify sensible means to circumvent them.

  • Examine the accuracy of assumptions being relied on.

  • Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of the suggestions or arguments posed by others.

  • Recognize what is known about an issue, what more needs to be known, and how best to obtain relevant and accurate information about it.

  • Identify likely unintended consequences of actions.

  • Recognize the conclusions that can and cannot be drawn from a particular exchange with another person.

  • Recognize the underlying agendas and motivations of individuals and groups involved in a situation.

  • Anticipate the emotional reactions of individuals to actions or communications.

  • Identify the core issues and perspectives that are central to conflict.

  • Consider the probable effects and likely unintended consequences from taking a course of action.

  • Recognize and balance the different needs of all relevant stakeholders.

  • Pursue and encourage feedback that may reveal an error in judgment and then make adjustments.

  • Recognize one's own personal biases or limitations, and use this understanding to improve one's thinking and plans for action.

  • Recognize when serious flaws in one's own ideas or actions require swift public acknowledgement and a dramatic change in direction.

  • Appropriately articulate the flaws in the arguments of others, and reiterate the strengths of one's own position.

  • Recognize when it is appropriate to resist the objections of others and remain committed to a sound course of action.

    Menkes adds that stellar executives consistently outperformed their peers in employing these cognitive skills. What's more, all of these abilities were found to be interdependent and necessary for effective leadership decision-making.