Top 10 Most Valuable Skills of Successful Tech Company CEOs

If you are interested in becoming the CEO of a tech startup, here are top skills that you must have

Tech CEOs aren't necessarily born — they are made. For a person to be a competent and in-demand CEO of a technology company, they need to have a mix of hard skills, which are related to their specific industry, and soft skills, which are attributes that help a person succeed in almost any job. If you are interested in becoming the CEO of a tech startup or are a technology firm looking for your next CEO, knowing what skills and competencies to look for or develop is essential.  Here are the top 10 most valuable skills of successful tech company CEOs.

Data science: Data science lets individuals glean valuable information from large sets of data. Developing CEO-level data science skills requires a person to have an understanding of the scientific method, algorithms, and systems to solve complex problems. Often, data science skills combine math, computer science, and business skills. A CEO for a data science company should at the very least have an advanced level degree in the field.

Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) allows machines to perform tasks that previously needed to be completed by humans. AI skills involve training machines to learn to recognize patterns and to learn to process vast amounts of data. AI skills include an understanding of data science as well as how to use various programs such as Python.

Machine learning: Machine learning is sometimes used interchangeably with AI, but the two skill sets are different.  Machine learning is a branch of AI, not the total of it. Machine learning involves the analysis of data to automate model building. Some examples of machine learning include developing self-driving cars, fraud detection systems, and "what to watch next" recommendations from streaming services.

Internet of Things: The Internet of Things (IoT) is all of those non-traditional-computer devices that are connected to the internet. Smart refrigerators, smart TVs, and smart light bulbs are all examples of the IoT. IoT skills combine knowledge of design programs, such as AutoCAD, web development programs, such as Node.js, and big data to create objects that safely and efficiently get online.

Web design: Ideally, tech CEOs will have basic web design skills, such as the ability to understand the user experience and the ability to create websites that work on screens of all sizes. Additionally, a tech CEO will understand the importance of responsive design and the basic elements of good design.

Understanding Technology: Fundamental shifts that are caused by the tech boom, change the nature of labour. Technology comes to the fore. The leader of the future is not just an administrator and manager, but also a specialist with "computational thinking". He must be able to work with large amounts of data and analyze them. Technologies will create additional problems related to data management, privacy, and conflicts. The manager should be able to solve them. It is impossible to do these without a clear understanding of the work of technologies.

Decentralized Leadership: The chief executive officer ordered everyone so you should listen and perform. This kind of system is already dead. The leadership skills you need today are different. For instance, leading global corporations already use the approach of "management without bosses" or "team management." In a couple of years, the main backbone of workers will be representatives of generation Z, who do not accept pressure. Most issues, excluding strategic decisions, will be addressed collectively. The key skill of the leader is to learn how to work with the team, distribute tasks, and take the initiative of other employees.

Work on the result, salary for effectiveness: Managers need to control staff with different schedules, freelance, and full-time employees. The percentage of remote employees is increasing every year. Managers will need to evaluate work, regardless of the number of hours spent in the office, to approve the system of labour efficiency. Essential leadership skills now include thinking less about the process and more about the result.

Flexibility and work in the face of contradictions: By 2025, a situation will arise that will have to work with entirely different generations of workers: young Zetas and Millennials. They have different values and approaches to work, so managers will need to find a common language with everyone. Various cultures, ages, demographics, and social characteristics can create conflict situations. Leaders must learn to work with people and understand their backgrounds.

Openness: On the one hand, the senior leader must do everything to protect the company's confidentiality. On the other, to maintain a market trend for transparency and openness. Companies are required to have up-to-date information about the business, maximum interaction with employees, and communications with partners and customers in instant messengers and social networks. As a result, managers do not know which side to take: openness or protection. You need to learn to look for a middle ground – not keeping information secret from the team and protect employees' data.