Gartner Research

4 Actions CSOs Can Take to Strengthen Their CEO Partnerships

Published: 26 July 2023

Summary

CSOs and CEOs often underappreciate the nuances and demands of each other’s role. As a result, priorities misalign and relationships strain. CSOs must forge a durable bond with their most influential stakeholder — the CEO. Discover strategies to manage, influence and thrive in this partnership.

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Overview

Key Findings
  • Unclear expectations and lack of time investing in building a relationship with the CEO may trigger misalignments between the CSO and CEO, which inevitably reduce transparency and impede their collective executive power.

  • Many CSOs avoid conflict with CEOs by finding shelter “in the field” engaging and meeting with customers. This avoidance tactic causes issues to linger and negatively impacts the ability to communicate and reconcile contrarian views.

  • When focused only on achieving quarterly short-term results, CSOs miss opportunities to provide perspectives into the market trends and the customer experience that should guide the CEO’s longer-term planning and decision making.

  • Sales

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