To get to the C-suite today, you must know what it’s like to be there. Simply because the gatekeepers require solid assurance that you know how to lead, not manage. This fundamental premise is the learning platform for this unique, advanced, richly interactive executive development program. It will show you not only how to get there but also how to survive and thrive in the most challenging position in business today.

More than ever before, opportunities abound – nearly one-half of CEOs flame out in their first 18 months. Given increasing executive turnover for a wide variety of valid reasons, including the massive retirement of seniors, organizations are now replacing their CEOs every five years on average. Whether you want to seize the opportunity or prevent yourself from becoming just another sad statistic of failed leadership, this highly practical, street-savvy, intensive learning experience was designed with you in mind.

One of the good things arising from the meltdown and ensuing “great recession” is that the mental models of business leaders were shaken to the core. The primary challenge cited by 90% of CEOs today is complexity – how to operate in a more volatile, unpredictable, structurally different world. Most candidly confess their inability to confidently respond to the new world order. And all agree that new leadership skills will be paramount in addressing the new realities, especially as Boards become increasingly concerned about and accountable for organizational under-performance.

Over 80% of CFOs say it’s “much more difficult” to become a CEO (than was the case pre-2009). Which is why those aspiring to the corner office (and those already there) realize it’s time to “go back to school” to acquire or strengthen the skills, insights and tools needed to create a different blueprint for building and leading smarter, adaptive enterprises. Because in our “black swan” world of largely unavoidable catastrophes, if you’re not re-thinking and augmenting your skill sets, you’re living on borrowed time.

For all these reasons, CEOs worldwide say they are now far more receptive to messengers who think differently.

Enter Dr. Jim Murray. Dr. Murray has been teaching members of the accounting profession since 1982. He is the architect of five advanced residential-learning programs created specifically for CA Institutes across the country and that have been enthusiastically endorsed (see testimonials below). A successful CEO of both large and small organizations in the public and private sectors, Dr. Murray has a distinguished track record of helping senior executives and over 600 organizations achieve their full potential. His courses have been formally recognized at the university level for “excellence in the design and delivery of lifelong education.” His life’s quest over 40 years of exemplary practice and accomplishment is to liberate personal genius and to change lives.

Leaders succeed because they know who they are, where they want to go and what they need to do to get there. They rise to the top when they know how to acquire and use power, what deficiencies to address, what talents to optimize, what networks to build and what values to live by. They develop a commanding executive presence, easily “connect” with people, build great teams and inspire them to do remarkable things. And they accomplish all this through realistic self-assessment, a strong moral compass and the acquisition of certain critical skill sets, street smarts and the savvy insights of those who’ve already learned their precious lessons from direct “crucible” experiences.

Through lectures, case studies, quizzes, shared executive experiences and personal guidance, participants can be assured their specific challenges, issues and questions around organizational concerns and personal interests will be addressed. The program requires pre-course work involving self-assessment and diagnostic tools as well as case preparation and readings on topics to be covered in greater depth.

Who Should Attend

This personally insightful and challenging learning experience will help you better understand what it takes to get to the top and, as importantly, stay in office. You don’t need to be a graduate of a top B-school, have the highest IQ, or have a “leader” gene in your DNA. Most CEOs don’t possess these attributes.

Becoming CEO is designed for those currently in positions of executive responsibility who aspire to the next level of leadership, as well as those already in the CEO role who realize that excellence requires constant learning and self-reflection and those who may be part of a CEO's succession plan. No matter what your starting point, you can always get better. Indeed, with the right framework, tools and guidance, you too can become an extraordinary CEO.

Dates, Facilities and Registration Information

Dates and Times:
July 23 - 26, 2012
The program begins Monday, July 23 at 5:30PM and runs until Thursday, July 26 at approximately 3:00PM.

Location:
White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa, Niagara on the Lake

Fees:
Program costs include program fees, the cost of materials and meals and individual room accommodations (a limited number of spots without accommodations are available).

White Oaks is a five star, four diamond resort in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario which has achieved a reputation for outstanding comfort, service and atmosphere to ensure a memorable learning and retreat experience for all executives who attend.

	All-inclusive (meals and accommodations) - Recommended	Day package (all meals included, accommodations not included)**
ICAO Members and CAs	$3,550	$3,050
Non-Members	$4,050	$3,550

**A limited number of program spots are available to those who do not wish to have accommodations. As there will be evening activities (including course related activities and networking opportunities), to maximize your program experience, this option is recommended only for those who reside in the near vicinity. This option is subject to availability.

Registration:
To register, please complete and return this form.

For any questions, please contact Lawrence Wong, CA, at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario at: 1-800-387-0735 ext. 343 or at lwong@icao.on.ca

What Others Say

Dr. Murray has been nationally honoured by the Canadian Association of University Continuing Education for his career in adult education and formally recognized by the University of Alberta for “excellence in the design and delivery of lifelong learning”. Here is what the CAs who have attended this program have to say:

"Provided solid, practical insights and opened my eyes to the skills I need to acquire – such as the need to rethink the values of my own senior management team."
"You forced me to re-evaluate my goals and aspirations. But you also gave me a guide and a starting point. The program exceeded my expectations."
"Helped me understand what I need to work on to ensure I am a strong leader for the rest of my life. I brought up my “big issue” and the feedback was invaluable."
"I now have a grasp of what makes up leadership, where my strengths and weaknesses are and a comprehensive manual to better myself on those critical abilities."
"The moral compass exercise gave me a needed “smack on the side of the head.” It helped me confirm it’s time to formalize my lead role or move on. Sure made me think. Overall, great!"
"Gave me the tools I need for self-promotion, executive alignment, risk management and diagnosing organizational health to name just a few."
"I was reminded to humble myself to think more about how people will repeat what I say or do. I am now more aware of what types of things can derail me."
"Clarified my understanding of the role of CEO. I came wanting to know how to select my successor. I now know what to do."
"Made me reflect about myself as a person and a leader. I’ve heard this before but never in a more meaningful manner. You held my interest for the full three days."
"Your personal experiences as a leader were excellent. The group discussions were invaluable and gave me confidence in my own abilities, opinions and decisions."
"Gave me a better idea as to whether I want to pursue CEOdom."
"The course lit a fire for me – let me see how I stack up against my peers. That has encouraged me."
"The way you present the material makes me think. Thank you for inspiring me."
"Overwhelming!! The best insights I have received as to what I don’t know and how I need to change my way of thinking, doing and acting if I want to succeed."
"I came here looking for a kick in the ass. Now I have the tools to give myself one. This “mini-MBA” has the street smarts that just can’t be taught in a regular school."
"After a year as CEO, this experience has helped me refocus, prioritize matters that count and make a serious commitment to making changes."
"Your “agent provocateur” style is the right dosage for the hardwired brains of accountants."
"Opened my eyes to new ways to think about the organization and helped me see the road to the top and how to ask the right questions."
"You are a fantastic story teller – so many experiences we can learn from. "

Alumni

Our alumni include participants from: Al Ghurair Group, Wynford Group, Rogers Media, Bell Canada, Dentsu Canada, CMN Global Inc., York Central Hospital, Prowis Inc., and Pyx Financial Group Inc.

The Curriculum

The program is practical, reflective of the latest research, and highly interactive. The program requires pre-course work involving self-assessment and diagnostic tools as well as case preparation and readings on topics to be covered in greater depth. These materials will be provided to you approximately 1 month in advance of the program dates.

Your 3.5 day in-depth program begins on Monday evening at 5:30PM, followed by in-class sessions starting at 8:30 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The program will end at 3:00PM on Thursday afternoon. Evening activities include hospitality, R&R, networking and a few course-related tasks.

The following is an outline of this one-of-a-kind program:

The Opportunity and Realities of CEOdom

Introductions, objectives, methods, premise, outcomes and caveats
Why not you? Changing expectations and increased scrutiny
Reasons for the axe: What makes CEOs deny reality
The difference between the good and “the best” CEOs
Uncomfortable truths and unacknowledged secrets of leading
The CEO “dis-ease” and the other gritty realities of leadership
Disqualifiers: How to sink your chances before you even begin

The Challenges of Leadership

The specific challenges CEOs face: Inside, outside and in the future
Leadership in the C-suite today: What it is and what it is not
The critical intelligences and “smarts” of leadership
People skills: The art (and science) of influencing others
Bringing focus to the organization: The CEO mantra
Leader or manager? Defining the CEO’s proper role
Why CEOs get fired: The failures and delusions of leadership
Developing strategic intelligence and foresight: Achieving clarity
Understanding organizational DNA: The four critical ‘genes’
The CEO’s primary role in determining organizational effectiveness

Getting There – Plan, Tools & Obstacles

Getting to the top: The six ingredients of success
Are you really CEO material? What it takes to get there
The tools: Creating your map and setting your compass
Getting advice, getting noticed and being effective
Self-promotion: Building a differentiated brand
Reconciling the paradoxes of becoming the top dog
Self-motivation and willpower: Sustaining the drive
Achieving mindfulness: Dealing with the ego traps
Acquiring and using power: Playing smartly with integrity
How to survive and thrive in the selection interview
Doing your due diligence and determining culture fit
Figuring out the first 100 days before you even arrive

Staying There – Perfecting Critical Skills

The CEO entrance exam: Did you pass or fail?
You’ve arrived: Where to begin, what to do, how to do it
Letting go: Separating yourself from the pack
The action plan for Day 1, Week 1 and beyond
First impressions: How to speak to the troops
Vision and Values: Misunderstood and misused tools
Assessing your team: Determining the keepers from the rest
Building a talented, cohesive, focused executive team
Leading really bright people who know more than you do
Keeping the high impact performers happy and in check
Developing a symbiotic relationship with your Board
How Boards should function and what questions they should ask

The CEO as Chief Decision Maker

Speed bumps that can derail a CEO’s best efforts
Avoiding the echo chamber: The value of dissent
The CEO’s Achilles heel: Dealing with resistance
Creating a powerful team decision-making culture
Smart tools that enhance decision making and accountability
Dealing with experts: Common errors and traps to avoid
Making the really tough calls that define a good CEO
Building risk management intelligence and capability
Getting and giving feedback that makes a difference

Beyond the First Quarter

Dealing with crises and forecasting high-impact surprises
Building smart organizations: What CEOs need to know
Overcoming innovation traps and fixing the business model
Reordering the agenda to accommodate changing priorities
Smart growth: Achieving sustainable competitive advantage
Avoiding really bad business decisions and poor strategies

The Responsibility of Leadership

Dealing with ethical dilemmas: The slippery slope
Succession planning, mentorship and developing talent
Walking the talk: Getting there and staying there
Dr. Jim’s Commandments for Career CEOs
Becoming a CEO: The defining questions
What you can’t be taught but must learn for yourself
Going forward: Sustaining the commitment to excellence

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For any further information, or to register, please contact Lawrence Wong, CA, at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario at: 1-800-387-0735 ext. 343 or at lwong@icao.on.ca.