The Best PI Profiles for Your C-Suite: Who Thrives, Who Survives

Stop playing executive roulette and find the perfect fit for each C-suite role in your organization, tailored to your company’s specific needs. Use Predictive Index as the ultimate cheat code for identifying leadership talent that actually works for you, not against you. 

Ready to learn what PI profiles are secretly running the show in your executive team? They aren’t all visionaries and that’s a good thing. Let’s break down the best PI profiles for each key C-suite role, complete with hot takes on who thrives, who survives, and who just might terrify the finance department.

CEOs: Big Picture Thinkers Who Actually Deliver

Profiles: Mavericks, Captains, Venturers, Strategists

CEOs are supposed to be visionary, but let’s be honest—sometimes they get pulled into chasing projects. The Maverick and Captain profiles are your go-to for leaders who get sh*t done without getting lost in dreamland. Yes, they can be a bit intense, but that’s part of the package when you’re aiming to disrupt industries and launch “bold” initiatives.

Key Traits: Outcome-driven, decisive, risk-takers—think ‘act now, figure out the details later.’ (Which, by the way, may or may not terrify your CFO. More on that later.)

Remember that CEO who thought launching a new product during a recession was ‘a bold move’? Yeah, he’s a Maverick—and it paid off because he thrives on chaos. Some might call it reckless in the moment, but with 20-20 hindsight everyone will call it gutsy genius. 

Read more about the most common PI profile for chief executive officers. 

COOs: The Doers (AKA The Glue Holding It All Together)

Profiles: Strategists, Captains, Analyzers

While your CEO is off on their vision-quest, the COO is the one making sure it happens. Whether it’s plugging leaks, smoothing operations, or steering a sinking ship, COOs live by the motto: “Cast the vision and I’ll make it happen.” 

Key Traits: Task-oriented, decisive, spreadsheet-loving wizards who can turn chaos into process. These are the pros that get things done while everyone else is still writing strategy memos.

When your company needs someone to turn 100 moving parts into a well-oiled machine, call in a Strategist COO. Trust me, they’ll do it without pulling their hair out—or yours.

Read more about the best PI profile for chief operating officers.

CFOs: The Skeptics (Who Can Smell BS from a Mile Away)

Profiles: Strategists, Captains, Analyzers

Ever notice your CFO’s eye twitch every time the CEO says, “Let’s take a risk”? That’s because they’re either an Analyzer or a Strategist. They love data, hate surprises, and are always five steps ahead, especially when it comes to budgeting ‘brilliant’ ideas. If you’re looking for someone to temper your enthusiasm for a new revenue stream in the name of fiscal responsibility, look no further.

Key Traits: Data-driven, risk-averse, and obsessed (in a good way) with financial planning.

Data-driven CFOs like the Strategist won’t hesitate to tell you ‘no’—and, trust me, they’ve got the Excel sheets to back it up. Just don’t be surprised when they pull out a 20-tab financial forecast at the next strategy meeting.

Learn more about the most common PI profile for chief financial officers.

CMOs: Blending the Art and Science of Marketing

Profiles: Mavericks, Strategists, Persuaders

CMOs have one job: to make everyone else look good. Whether they’re hyping up your newest product or pitching your brand as the ‘next big thing,’ they’ll need some serious charm and hustle. They believe every word they say and help others to believe it, too.

Key Traits: Visionary, persuasive, and probably the most likely to call themselves a ‘rockstar’ unironically.

Need someone to make your brand sound innovative after years of protecting the way it was? Look no further than the Maverick—they’ll sell sand in the desert and make everyone around them feel good about it.

Learn more about the best PI profile for chief marketing officers.

CHROs: Your Go-To People For People

Profiles: Mavericks, Captains, Persuaders

While the rest of your C-Suite is busy making spreadsheets and PowerPoints, the CHRO is here to remind you that your employees are, in fact, people—not just productivity stats. They’re the ones making sure your company doesn’t implode from bad culture or mass exodus to competitors who offer free snacks. 

Key Traits: People-centric and strategic. Thinks “big picture” and has a knack for moving fast and adapting to business needs. 

Want someone to stir the HR pot? The Maverick will have employees questioning, “Wait, HR can do that?” When it comes to shaking things up, the Maverick CHRO is a rule-breaker who’ll disrupt HR for the better.

Read more about the best PI profile for chief human resources officers.

CIOs: A Technical Steady-Eddy

Profiles: Specialists, Guardians, Scholars, Strategists

Stability and an aversion to risk-taking are key components of a successful CIO. If tech goes down, their a** is on the line and they know it. Your perfect CIO type depends most on what stage of growth the business is in, and how the CIO contributes to your strategy.

Key Traits: Steady, detail-oriented, task-focused, technically-minded, and analytical. Most likely to memorize the rulebook–and enforce it. 

If you need a CIO with a tad more risk tolerance and a stomach for changing paces, the Strategist will be more at home with you. Traditional, matter-of-fact, no-nonsense more your type? The Specialist is perfect for setting guardrails and enforcing no-tolerance policies. 

Read more about the best PI profile for chief information officers.

Heads of Sales: The Charming Closers

Profiles: Captains, Altruists

Your sales team’s success is only as good as its leader—and that leader better be a Captain who’s charming enough to make a brick wall buy a bridge. They’ll say, “It’s not about selling; it’s about building relationships,” while simultaneously closing deals faster than you can say “contract signed.”

Key Traits: Assertive, charming, fast-paced. Excels at building relationships and finding attractive solutions customers will value. 

When your revenue is sinking, call in the Captain. They’ll rally the troops and close deals so fast you’ll wonder if you’ve been undercharging.

Learn more about the best PI profile for sales. 

Conclusion

While this post highlights some of the top PI profiles for C-suite roles, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution—self-awareness of your own strengths and leadership style, as well as those of your team, is key. The best profile for your executive team depends on factors like your company’s size, industry, culture, and goals, so tailor your approach to what works best for your unique organization. Based on organizational needs, you can measure the behaviors that will be the best fit.

If you want your executive team to stop running on caffeine and chaos, it’s time to figure out who’s got the right PI profile for the job. Don’t leave your company’s future to chance or personality quirks—Predictive Index will show you who’s built to lead, who’s better suited for spreadsheets, and who should probably stick to networking events.