CEO Ready: What You Need to Know to Earn the Job--and Keep the Job

by Mark Thompson, Byron Loflin, Marshall Goldsmith (foreword)

Your track record of success isn't enough. Here's what it really takes to be CEO Ready.

You're on the short list for the CEO job, and you have a record of delivering amazing results. You've been told you have the inside track. You're the leader in the clubhouse.

Don't believe it. Remember that no matter what you've heard or what your CV says, you are not alone in the race, and the odds are against your getting the job.

Leadership selection isn't the methodical, objective process we imagine. Decisions aren't made by robotic executives ticking boxes for attributes such as strategic fit, core competencies, or cultural alignment. Instead, the process is deeply personal, emotional, and often unpredictable.

Now, Mark Thompson and Byron Loflin share with you what it really takes to become CEO ready. Thompson has coached thousands of executives and CEO candidates, and Loflin is a boardroom expert and adviser. They've seen firsthand the emotions that sway CEO selections as well as the personal and boardroom dramas that unfold as a company prepares to pass the baton of leadership.

In CEO Ready, Thompson and Loflin reveal what you need to do to maximize your chances of being the one who secures the top spot, including identifying the seven key stakeholders CEO candidates need to understand and work with. Filled with practical advice and compelling and instructive stories from those who've gone through this arduous process, CEO Ready is essential reading for anyone who aspires to the ultimate leadership position.

Genres: Business

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Darya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a pragmatic guide for executives aiming for the top. Drawing on decades of leadership coaching and board advisory experience, the authors strip away myths about CEO selection and reveal the reality: performance alone does not guarantee the role. The process is often subjective, shaped by perceptions, relationships, and adaptability under pressure. The book emphasizes emotional intelligence, humility, and a willingness to be coached as non-negotiable traits for sustained success. Thompson and Loflin provide a clear framework for navigating both the transition into the role and the challenges of keeping it. Direct, unvarnished, and grounded in real-world leadership dynamics, CEO Ready stands out as an essential resource for executives who want to prepare strategically for the demands of the modern C-suite.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a super helpful guide for anyone aiming to become a CEO someday. The authors have tons of real experience coaching CEOs and board members, and it really shows—they explain things in a way that feels practical and grounded.

What I enjoyed most were the stories about how actual CEO candidates handled the selection process and how boards looked at their strengths and weaknesses. The appendices are also surprisingly useful, especially if you’re curious about the psychometric tests companies use when choosing their next CEO.

Overall, it’s a solid, easy-to-read book that gives you a clearer picture of what it really takes to get the top job.

[Jesper Nordengaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, modern CEO playbook - clear and actionable.

Mark Thompson’s CEO Ready is one of the more practical leadership books I’ve read in a while. It’s not hype or theory—it’s a structured guide to how CEOs actually think, decide, communicate, and build teams. The frameworks are straightforward, the examples are relevant, and the advice translates directly into actions I could apply the same week. Especially strong on prioritization, focus, and making the “CEO shift” from being a functional expert to leading through others. Highly recommended for first-time CEOs, CEOs-in-waiting, and senior leaders who want to level up fast.