Who Wants To Be A Top Executive?

My good friend Rajib Roy, a Top Executive, wrote an interesting blog, “Outlook for a Top Executive” . One thing for sure is that everyone wants to be a Top Executives, but that none wants to have a limited term for the executive jobs.

Rajib’s blog got me thinking, …, thinking about what the definition a “Top Executive” is. Am I a “Top Executive”? In order to evaluate myself against the highest standards, I develop the ”Top Executive Qualification Tests”. For those of you promising sole and overachiever, you should pass these tests with ease.

Top Executive Qualification Tests:

• Consciousness Test: If you already know for sure that you are not a Top Executive, then you are definitely not.
• Subconsciousness Test: If you are wondering whether you are a Top Executive, then you are not one of them. Top Executives never doubt their own statue.
• Unconsciousness Test: If you believe that you are a Top Executive unconsciously, you are in a dream, in a fantasy, in illusion, in amnesia, in comma, or in denial. Snap out of it! You are the typical working kind, and get back to work!
• Time Management Test: If you have lots of your own time on your calendar, chances are that you are not a Top Executive. Top Executives’ times are typically not their own; most of their times are requested, arranged (or manipulated), and owned by others.
• If you visit this test the second time, you are definitely not a Top Executive.  Repeat, you are definitely not a Top Executive.
• If you come to this test the third time, Sigh!  Redo "Unconsciousness Test."
• Technical Skill Test: If you install whatever apps on your laptop, reading manuals, search on-line helps, or wait in a queue for your IT help , you have too much of your own time. Wait! Didn’t we just say that Top Executives do not have their own time? Redo “Time Management Test”!
• Soft Skill Test: If you do not attend meetings after meetings, chair social events, keynote speak in lunches or dinners, become a board member of any kind, or participate philanthropy activities on behave of your company, no one seems interested in sharing your time. Wait! Didn’t we say that Top Executives’ times are requested and owned by others? Redo “Time Management Test”!
• People Skill Test: If you do not direct “have your people call my people” upon any requests almost all the times, your are one of the people getting calls from other people's people such that you are not a Top Executive.
• Organization Test: If there are several levels between you and the Chief Executive of your company, you are the pople to be called by other people's people. Those who between you and your Chief are more likely to be Top Executives than you, but not you.
• Performance Test: If you need to follow the standard annual process for your own review, chances are that you are not a Top Executive. The standard annual review process is for the typical working folks, not for the Top Executive who has no time. Go take "Time Management Test" again.
• Achievement Test: If you do not enjoy many perks, it is too bad; you are not a Top Executive. Top Executives achieve the highest level of enjoying perks such as big paycheck, big bonus, 5-star hotels, limos in travel, first class flights, corporate jets, free meals, etc.  No perks?  Redo "Consciousness Test".

It is kind of sad after I ran this test for myself. I am not revealing how I did. Test yourself, and see whether you are a "Top Executive".

For now, I am no long in the mood to answer the question in Rajib's “Outlook for a Top Executive”. I'll do that when I get over it.