ABSTRACT
We struggled to come up with an all-encompassing, neutral term for the person who is charged with leading a CEO peer advisory group. Chair, chairperson, facilitator, and group leader were a few of the common names we considered. As we continued to explore the various models for group leadership, we discovered they came in many forms-from those guided by a professionally trained facilitator, who serves as the permanent leader of the CEO members, to member-led groups in which the member-leader may or may not receive formal training, to member-led groups in which leadership rotates among the members over time. Whatever the model, certain common denominators were consistent: all groups benefited from having a leader, and the traits an effective group leader needed to possess were largely the same. Leaders need to be good listeners, willing to help others, passionate about the role, and adept at fostering strong relationships among the members both inside and outside the group. They must be the stewards of the other four factors, making sure the right people are in the group and contributing in a positive way, maintaining a safe and confidential environment, fostering valuable interactions, and creating a culture of accountability. To do so, the leader needs to be smart and seek to guide the group rather than direct it, hence the term “smart guide.”
