All CEOs face the misconception that they have an inner circle, and may further be accused of giving this inner circle preferential treatment. I’m just going to admit it, and give clear instructions on how anyone interested can make it into my inner circle.

The price of admission

You have to be good at your work. You have to be willing to take on additional scope. You accept that your work on these miscellaneous CEO concerns is not part of your KPI and you won’t get recognized for working on them.

You have to reliably produce quality output which I don’t need to spend a lot of time improving. You have strong accountability, not just for the task but for results. You have to be candid with me, tell me to my face if you don’t agree with me.

Acting like an owner

Wherever you are in the organization, you must be interested in the big picture of the business. You always have the best interest of the company at heart, like the company belongs to you. You behave like the company’s money is your money. You rally the team to the company’s cause.

You have a stand, and are willing to protect that stand with no fear of conflict. You don’t ever give up. You always find a way. You get to the goal in a straight line. Your methods are efficient and effective.

The non-negotiables

You are super agile, able to manage a multitude of things across functions and subject areas. You have earned the respect and friendship of those you work with. You have integrity and hold yourself to high professional standards.

You savor and share knowledge. You appreciate speed and get things done fast without sacrificing quality. You are not political.

The real reward

Here’s the thing about inner circles: I can’t say for sure I give mine preferential treatment except for the fact that they, by taking on more and making sacrifices, learn and develop more.

The inner circle isn’t about favoritism. It’s about a mutual commitment to excellence. Those who join it aren’t seeking special treatment. They’re seeking growth, challenge, and the opportunity to shape the company’s future.

Feel free to come into my inner circle. I dream of a day when every employee has what it takes. When that happens, we won’t have an inner circle anymore. We’ll have something far more powerful: an entire organization operating at the highest level, where everyone thinks like an owner, acts with urgency, and refuses to accept anything less than excellence.

The door is open. The requirements are clear. The question is: are you willing to meet them?