CMOs…stop clutching your pearls
What’s going on with CMO executive alignment?
I’m seeing more LinkedIn posts about CMO executive alignment with their CEOs being fraught with peril.
Enough with the hand wringing. Here’s the truth about managing your CEO’s expectations regards marketing.
I’ve been around the C-Suite a long time, much of it as a CMO.
In my opinion, the key to being a CMO longer than 18 months (at the same place) is learning how to manage those expectations.
Conversely, in a society/culture where dissent can be seen as abuse, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to speak up.
Not because of them…but because of us.
Fear has no place in CMO executive alignment
We’ve transferred the fear of speaking up (in general circles) to the one place it’s not needed or wanted…the c-suite.
Trust me on this, CEOs want your recommendations and the good ones want you to actively manage their expectations when it comes to the marketplace.
Let them take care of the vision and growth expectations.
You take care of aligning yourself and your teams with those expectations.
However, it’s not always easy or straightforward.
At loggerheads?
If you’re at loggerheads, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with pounding on your CEO’s desk with your fist.
The sun will still come up tomorrow.
In addition, a good (or great) CEO will appreciate his/her generals and their recommendations. That same CEO will likely ask that you back up your recommendations with numbers and logic, but it’s your job to provide those.
And you can always do hugs and chugs afterward.
