In this episode, I break down the core habits that set successful CEOs apart and how those habits directly influence organizational growth. We explore the risks of overcommitting and getting too deep into day-to-day operations, a common trap that can cloud strategic focus. I make the case for a more disciplined approach to choosing opportunities and explain why shifting from monthly to weekly performance metrics can dramatically improve agility. We also dive into the value of developing strong leaders at every level and the role of clear, consistent communication in preventing costly misunderstandings. Ultimately, this episode is designed to help leaders sharpen their habits, elevate their impact, and accelerate growth.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

1:07 Good CEO Habits 2:56 Delegation and Ownership 5:17 The Power of Selectivity 7:27 Agility in Metrics 9:18 Building Leadership Depth 10:44 Communication Clarity 12:06 Reflecting on Improvement

The Hidden Traps CEOs Fall Into: Good CEO Habits Start Here

In this episode of Grow Think Tank, we're having an honest conversation about the everyday habits that can make or break a CEO's effectiveness. I'm Gene Hammett, and I'll walk you through some of the subtle traps leaders fall into, starting with the urge to say yes to everything.

As CEOs, we're wired to see possibilities everywhere. I've been there myself, feeling like every new idea or opportunity could be "the one" that drives big growth. But a packed calendar isn't a sign of progress. In fact, it often pulls us away from the handful of initiatives that truly move the business forward.

We also dig into one of the biggest bad habits: trying to stay involved in every operational detail. Research shows that CEOs spend an incredible amount of time in meetings, up to 72%, according to Harvard. That's a lot of hours that could be spent on creativity, strategy, and vision. I talk about how letting go, delegating more intentionally, and staying out of the weeds is actually one of the Good CEO Habits that fuels growth.

Choosing the Right Opportunities: Not All "Yeses" Are Created Equal

Next, we talk about the cultural pressure inside organizations to chase every possibility. Saying yes feels productive, but spreading yourself too thin rarely leads to meaningful impact.

I share why developing a disciplined approach to opportunity selection is a hallmark of Good CEO Habits. Leaders who grow consistently don't chase more; they chase better. Warren Buffett said it best: the difference between successful people and really successful people is that the latter say no to almost everything.

From there, we explore how shifting from monthly performance metrics to weekly check-ins can transform agility. Monthly metrics tell you what went wrong last month. Weekly metrics help you fix what's happening right now. That faster feedback loop helps teams stay aligned, spot issues early, and maintain momentum.

Build Leaders, Build Clarity, Build Growth

Finally, we look inward, specifically at how CEOs develop the strength of their team and the clarity of their communication.

A powerful CEO doesn't try to be an expert in everything. Instead, they build depth in their leadership team, ensuring every department has someone capable, confident, and empowered. Closing those leadership gaps is essential for scaling it's another core Good CEO Habit that separates high-growth organizations from the rest.

We also talk about communication, the kind of communication that goes beyond "good enough." Assumptions create confusion, rework, and frustration. Clear, intentional communication creates alignment and trust. I share how being explicit rather than vague can eliminate misunderstandings before they start.

Throughout the episode, I encourage you to reflect on your own habits. Which ones are helping you grow, and which ones might be holding you back? When we ask better questions about how we lead, we uncover opportunities to evolve both as individuals and as organizations. That's what we aim for here on Grow Think Tank: helping leaders become more effective, more intentional, and more equipped to scale with confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Fewer commitments lead to better focus. Saying yes to everything creates noise. The most effective CEOs choose opportunities selectively and focus on initiatives that truly drive growth.
• Staying out of the weeds is a leadership strength. CEOs who try to oversee every detail lose valuable time for strategy, creativity, and vision. Delegation is not just helpful it's essential.
• Weekly metrics create agility. Shifting from monthly to weekly performance reviews helps teams catch issues earlier, adapt faster, and maintain momentum.
• Depth in leadership beats well-roundedness. CEOs don't need to be experts in every area they need strong leaders around them. Building leadership capacity at every level accelerates scale.
• Clarity in communication prevents costly mistakes. "Good enough" communication isn't good enough. Explicit, intentional clarity avoids misunderstandings and keeps teams aligned.
• Good CEO Habits require intentional reflection. Sustainable growth comes from regularly reassessing your habits, asking better leadership questions, and making small adjustments with big impact.

Ideal For: Founders, CEOs, executives, managers, and anyone committed to elevating their leadership capacity.

Resources & Next Steps

Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance.

🌐 Explore More: training.coreelevation.com 🎧 Listen to the Full Episode: Growth Think Tank Podcast