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Gary Ross was interviewed on the Innovative Leaders Driving Thriving Organizations show 0n 7/28/15. As a summery, here are 6 tips to becoming a stronger leader Gary learned from his work as a CEO over the past 16 years, He has served successfully as President/CEO of four different organizations, ranging from $10M to $150M in revenues. He has improved financial performance and value creation within both large public technology and private family companies.

Under his newly formed company, Ross Innovations LLC, Gary has completed successful confidential engagements with CEOs of several software and technology service companies to help them drive specific value-creation initiatives.

Here are Gary’s 6 tips in his own words. Learn more on the recorded show.

1. Evaluate YOU

I took an article that listed the ‘8 Qualities That Make Unforgettable Bosses’ and cross-mapped it against my four President roles – and graded myself from 1-10.  You know what I found?  The roles where I led with passion, I performed the best!

2. Focus on RESULTS

Activity does not equal results.  Focus on accomplishing a lot of goals in a short amount of time.  While at Astute in just under 3 years, we successfully closed on a private equity sale, acquired a company, broke into new international markets, and grew recurring revenue 38% per year!

3. Be creative and open to new IDEAS

Get to know your customers and how you can help them succeed.  Get to know the market you are in and look for other markets to target.  Listen to your associates ideas.  I developed the Growth Cube TM strategic planning tool as a new and innovative way to unlock the growth within companies!

4. Stand for something personally – BEYOND CEO

I am a family man, a man of faith and overall continue to push myself to be a better man.  I work with others on how to increase their Personal Value.  I speak to groups on ‘How to Overcome Major Life Challenges!’ where I give specific tips on how to strengthen yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually!

5. Know YOUR ROLE

I believe my role as the CEO is to set the direction, make sure we achieve our company goals, increase the speed with which we operate, and in general function as the organization spark plug!

6. SYNCH UP your Financial model and your Leadership model

To get growth, we need to build a growth culture.  I accomplish this by implementing the inverted pyramid.  This is designed to focus the organization on the customer at the top of the inverted pyramid (Raving Customers) and those who support the customer (Raving Associates).

Want to hear more details?

Listen to recording on Innovative Leaders Driving Thriving Organizations show. The interview also includes Jodi Curran, who worked with Gary at his last 3 companies: Emerson, Cott Systems, and Astute Solutions.