3 New Year's resolutions for aspiring CEOs

Good morning! Fortune writer Natalie McCormick here, filling in for Ruth.

It’s that time of year again. For those aiming for the corner office—or the C-suite more broadly—the new year presents a valuable opportunity to reflect on your values, career aspirations, and areas for growth while setting specific, meaningful goals that align with them. As with any New Year’s resolution, professional commitments should be realistic, measurable, and tied to a clear purpose to maintain motivation and track progress throughout the year.

Last year, I spoke with Jane Edison Stevenson, Korn Ferry’s global vice chair of board and CEO services and leader of board and CEO succession, about the skills, insights, and strategic vision necessary to be seen as a CEO contender in the coming year. Three key themes emerged:

Think horizontally. Aspiring CEOs should approach their work with a broad, cross-functional perspective. It’s not enough to have deep expertise in your role; you must also understand how it connects to and impacts other functions. Great leaders consistently think about how they can contribute to the broader goals of the organization and drive meaningful impact across the board.

Act the part. Behave as though you’re already a CEO. This doesn’t mean overstepping your role, but rather aligning your strategic objectives with those of the company’s leader. Thinking like a CEO and demonstrating the ability to contribute at that level shows you’re ready for the promotion. As Stevenson puts it, “If you are the role, the title and the label generally follow.”

Be transformational. While meeting your current responsibilities is essential, take ownership of areas where you can create transformative change. This will not only increase your visibility but also help you develop new, valuable skills.

“As executives consider their careers in 2025, the more they think about how their work delivers on and powerfully fulfills the overall strategic imperatives of their organizations, the more successful they will be,” Stevenson said.

Kathy Gersch, chief growth officer at management consulting firm Kotter, reinforced Stevenson’s points while highlighting adaptability as a critical skill for aspiring leaders in today’s fast-changing business environment.

“Companies want people who are smart and have risen through the ranks by solving problems and responding quickly and decisively,” Gersch told Fortune. “But once you climb higher, you need to let go of the problem-solving mindset and focus on looking ahead, adapting to changes, and driving the organization forward.”

Natalie McCormick
natalie.mccormick@fortune.com

Today’s newsletter was edited by Ruth Umoh.

Leadership lessons

In today’s era of constant uncertainty, Stevenson emphasized the importance of looking beyond the immediate tasks of one’s role. Instead, broaden your focus and explore opportunities at the edges of your responsibilities. Leaders, she said, should consistently ask themselves how they can make a tangible, significant difference.

News to know

President Biden reportedly overruled top national security aides advocating for a $14.1 billion Japanese takeover of U.S. Steel to reinforce his pro-union legacy. WSJ

Elon Musk is leveraging his wealth, social media influence, and political funding to shape legislative priorities. It has significant implications for the future of U.S. governance. Bloomberg

Microsoft president Brad Smith announced the company’s plan to invest $80 billion in AI this fiscal year, emphasizing its transformative potential. Fortune

The Supreme Court will determine whether TikTok’s U.S. operations must be sold or shut down, with arguments scheduled before the Jan. 19 legal deadline. NYT