Cameron HeroldFounder of the COO Alliance & Invest In Your Leaders Training

The Real Meaning of CEO: Stop Waiting for Big Wins

7 Jul 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief monologue, Cameron Herold argues that leaders should shift focus from only celebrating large achievements to also recognizing the "little big steps"—the small wins and everyday actions that embody core values. He stresses the importance of regularly praising team members when they live those values, citing Ken Blanchard’s concept from The One Minute Manager that leaders should actively praise people to success. By consistently celebrating these incremental victories, organizations build momentum toward larger goals. Herold also proposes that the CEO’s title be reframed as "Chief Energizing Officer" to reflect the role of energizing and motivating the team through such recognition.

Chapters

I was talking to a friend the other day and I said, you've got to celebrate the little big steps. And he said, what does that mean? I said, well, everyone celebrates the big steps. They celebrate the big goals. They celebrate the big wins, but they forget to celebrate the little big steps, the little big wins. Celebrate and say thank you anytime your team members are living a core value, accomplishing something small, praising people to success. It was covered by Ken Blanchard in the book, The One Minute Manager. But your job is to praise people to success. And celebrating those little big wins will get you there. The CEO's title should really say Chief Energizing Officer.