What does it actually take to become a CEO?

In this episode of Career Conversations, Richard Greenwood sits down with NI Chamber CEO Suzanne Wylie to unpack the reality of leadership at the highest level, from early career uncertainty to leading large-scale organisations and navigating complex political environments.

What You’ll Listen To

🔵 Why most people misunderstand the transition from manager to leader

🔵 The mindset shift required to step into a CEO role

🔵 How to lead when you don’t have all the answers

🔵 The importance of resilience, self-awareness, and decision-making under pressure

🔵 What exceptional leaders do differently from good leaders

🔵 How to build, align, and motivate high-performing teams

Inside the Episode

Suzanne shares her journey from starting out in local government to becoming Chief Executive of Belfast City Council and later leading at the highest levels across complex organisations.

You’ll hear:

🔵 The reality of stepping into leadership without feeling ready

🔵 Why imposter syndrome can drive performance

🔵 How to lead through resistance, setbacks, and change

🔵 What it takes to drive major transformation and long-term strategy

Who This Is For

If you’re:

🔵 An aspiring leader or future CEO

🔵 A business owner building a team

🔵 A senior professional stepping into more responsibility

This episode will give you clarity on what leadership really demands.

Key Takeaways

✅ Leadership is about direction, not having all the answers

✅ Self-awareness is one of the most valuable leadership skills

✅ The best leaders build strong teams and trust them

✅ Clarity of purpose drives performance and culture

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