Landing a role as a C-suite leader has never been easy, but it is harder than ever in 2025. It’s no surprise that the widespread layoffs seen in 2023 and 2024 have led to a surplus of C-level candidates in the talent pool. The importance of standing out as a job seeker has never been more crucial. For an executive to set themselves apart, they need to show mastery of essential skills proven to help lead companies to success.
Here are 3 skills that set top executives apart from the rest.
1. Strategic Vision
A truly great leader doesn’t just focus on the now, they think about the future – about journey ahead and about navigating industry changes along the way. Strategic vision is a forward-thinking outline of what an organization wants to accomplish in the long-term.
Leaders with a tangible vision don’t react to change, they anticipate it. They position their companies ahead of the curve, sitting at the precipice of change rather than playing catch up as it passes them by.
Think of strategic visionary, Steve Jobs. Jobs saw past the desktop and imagined a future where technology was fully integrated into the lives of Apple’s customers. He saw the demand for that integration before the consumer realized they wanted it, then he made it happen. Steve Jobs backed his vision with bold decisions, long-term investment strategies, and relentless execution.
2. Crisis Management
When things go wrong, strong leaders step up. Crisis management is the ability to stay calm, make quick decisions, and lead a company through tough times.
The crisis could be anything from a PR disaster to a sudden drop in revenue. Good executives don’t panic. Good executives gather the right information, communicate clearly with their teams, and take decisive action. The way a leader handles crisis can define their reputation for years to come.
Take, for example, the crisis leadership CEO Mary Barra showed during GM’s ignition switch crisis of 2014. Faced with a massive recall crisis linked to 124 deaths and numerus injuries, Barra faced the crisis head on. Instead of following the typical playbook of corporate deflection, she took full accountability for the decades-long mistake. Barra’s decisive leadership showed empathy and helped GM survive and regain the trust of their customers.
3. Executive Presence
Great executives don’t just lead, they inspire. Executive presence is the ability to project authority, credibility, and inspire trust in a way that reassures the company and stakeholders. Executive presence is built on three elements:
Confidence – Leaders stand firm in their convictions. They exude confidence in times of struggle, letting their demeanor assure their employees that they can weather any storm.
Communication – Articulating their vision, listening actively to their employees, and engaging in meaningful dialogue are absolute necessities to effectively project executive presence.
Trust and Respect – To earn the respect and confidence of their teams, executives must lead with integrity, consistency, and authenticity.
A great example of executive presence in action is Indra Nooyi, former CEO and Chairperson of PepsiCo. Nooyi confidently led the company through a major strategic shift towards healthier products and sustainability, despite initial pushback. Her ability to connect with employees at all levels, writing personal letters to their families or example, fostered loyalty and engagement.
By developing these three skills, C-level jobseekers can position themselves as forward-thinking, resilient, and inspiring leaders. These skills will be the differentiators in an increasingly competitive and dynamic leadership landscape.
