The Key Behaviors Every Tech CEO Needs to Spot in Their Talent

Tech CEOs need fast innovation and teams that deliver under pressure. But finding the right leadership talent is tough, especially when success depends on behaviors that drive teamwork and creativity, not just technical skills. Therefore, if you want a leadership team that can solve complex problems and fuel growth, focus on these key behaviors: Motivation for Task Achievement, Curiosity and Learning, and Communication. Let’s dive into how these behaviors can help you spot and build high-potential leaders on your team.

Drawing from our research on the behavior sets of successful CEOs, let’s examine how these behaviors can help you identify high-potential leaders already within your teams and select the right people to join them.

1. Motivation for Task Achievement: The Foundation of High Performance

When it comes to innovation, the first and most essential behavior is a strong motivation for task achievement. Without this, even the most curious or communicative individuals may struggle to execute ideas quickly and efficiently. This behavior set is evident in individuals who not only set goals but relentlessly pursue and accomplish them. In the words of Sam Altman at Y Combinator, they are the people who “get a lot of stuff done quickly.”

Identifying this behavior in potential leaders provides a foundation for building a team that can perform at a high pace. But task achievement alone is not enough, especially in companies that thrive on innovation and teamwork. For leadership roles that demand continuous growth and adaptability, two other behaviors stand out: Curiosity and Learning and Communication.

2. Curiosity and Learning: Identifying the Knowledge Builders

In an innovation-driven organization, a key indicator of leadership potential is the way individuals consume knowledge and engage in the exchange of ideas. True innovation leaders approach learning not as a solo venture but as a collaborative exploration. They’re not just solving isolated problems; they’re leveraging the team’s collective knowledge and networks to accelerate their understanding.

A high-potential leader in this area has a natural inclination to ask questions and gather knowledge directly from others. Rather than starting with a solitary research dive, their instinct is to reach out, assessing whether a line of inquiry has been explored within their network. This approach offers two main advantages:

• Efficiency in Learning: They can quickly gauge whether an area has already been explored and obtain a direction or “quick read” on the next steps.

• Effective Questioning and Listening: The way they ask questions is purposeful and strategic. They start with short, open questions, actively listen, and adapt to the speaker’s vocabulary and perspective. This results in a deeper connection and understanding, allowing them to extract insights quickly.

For example, instead of directly seeking a recommendation for a book on product strategy, they might simply ask, “What’s the last book you talked about?” The subject matter is less relevant than the desire to engage with others’ interests. Leaders who display this broad curiosity are more likely to bring fresh perspectives and insights to the team, fostering innovation.

3. Communication: Building Shared Vocabulary and Team Alignment

Once they’ve gathered insights, natural leaders use communication to create a shared understanding across the team. They bridge ideas by adapting their language to resonate with their audience, fostering an environment where everyone can contribute. In a group setting, this communication style enables them to build a unified vocabulary that helps align the team, creating clarity and cohesion.

Such leaders demonstrate an authentic interest in others' viewpoints, which leads to greater inclusion and collaboration. When someone displays a knack for asking insightful questions and translating complex information into shared language, they’re displaying a key leadership trait for innovation companies.

Spotting High-Potential Talent in Action

When it comes to innovation, high-potential leaders stand out by their ability to leverage three critical resources: internal teams, broader networks, and customer insights.

1. Internal Knowledge Base: They first turn to their teammates, quickly gathering information to form a foundational knowledge base. This also engages team members, giving them a sense of ownership and motivation.

2. Broader Networks: If additional insights are needed, they look to their extended networks, demonstrating the value of broad and deep connections. This approach is especially effective in fast-moving industries, where speed and relevance of information are key.

3. Customer Engagement: Finally, if gaps remain, they engage with customers to refine ideas or solutions. This customer-centric approach keeps the organization aligned with market needs and helps shape innovative, customer-focused solutions.

This approach to consuming and sharing information builds a collaborative, innovation-focused culture where teams are empowered to solve challenges with efficiency and agility. As leaders draw from diverse perspectives within and beyond the organization, they foster a sense of ownership among team members, creating a self-sustaining motivation to accomplish goals.

Creating a Flywheel of Achievement and Innovation

When you combine Motivation for Task Achievement with this style of Curiosity and Learning and Effective Communication, you create a powerful flywheel. Teams with leaders who embody these behaviors tend to execute faster, learn continuously, and maintain a shared vision for innovation. By identifying these traits in current team members or potential hires, you position your company to build a high-performing leadership team that can scale and thrive.

To those tech CEOs looking to amplify their leadership pipeline, this approach provides a roadmap to finding—and fostering—the unicorn leaders who will propel your organization forward. Please feel free to reach out to us, and let’s discuss how we can help build your unicorn.

Tim@corporate.bc.ca · Amanda@corporate.bc.ca · Darrell@corporate.bc.ca