Writing an Effective Executive Bio: A Guide

Did you know that global executives attribute 44% of an organization’s market value to the CEO’s reputation?

Since it’s often the first thing people see when they look you up, your executive bio is the foundation your reputation is built on. This is why it’s so important to spend the time and resources necessary to craft one that has an impact.

What is an executive bio?

An executive bio is a brief but impactful summary of a leader’s professional background and notable achievements. It’s typically written in a way that makes the executive stand out — highlighting accomplishments, experiences, and visions for the future.

With 81% of executives agreeing that it’s important for CEOs to have a visible public profile in order for their organizations to be highly regarded, executive bios have become table stakes for business leaders wishing to take their companies to the next level.

Source: Weber Shandwick

Executive bios typically appear on company websites, LinkedIn profiles, and press releases. Because they introduce readers to the executive, they’re a key part of a CEO’s personal brand. By publishing an executive bio that reflects an executive’s experiences and leadership style, CEOs can establish credibility and authority while building trust among potential investors, clients, business partners, and employees.

While your social media profiles might be a bit more conversational, your executive bio should use a professional and authentic voice that conveys your credibility.

How long should an executive bio typically be?

Ask five different people how long an executive bio should be, and you’ll get five different answers. Generally speaking, though, somewhere between 280 and 340 words is the sweet spot, but some executives might prefer being briefer while others may stretch theirs out closer to 500 words.

When writing an executive bio, it’s important to pay attention to tone. While your social media profiles might be a bit more conversational, your executive bio should use a professional and authentic voice that conveys your credibility.

Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach opts for a short and sweet executive bio.

How does an executive bio differ from other professional branding?

An executive bio is different from other professional branding tools like resumes and social media profiles. While a resume typically lists roles and achievements in chronological order, an executive bio goes beyond the basics, providing a cohesive narrative that explains who the executive is as a leader. In addition to highlighting accomplishments, an executive bio often touches upon things like core values, vision for the future, and leadership philosophy — offering a more personal overview than a resume ever could.

While executives also need to optimize their LinkedIn and other social media profiles, these digital properties tend to be more informal than executive bios. While social channels are ideal for sharing real-time insights, they might not be the best place for an in-depth, more serious summary of the executive’s career.

Writing an effective executive bio: Key elements

Before you begin creating your bio, it’s important to consider your audience. Knowing who you’re trying to appeal to can inform what you’re going to include and the tone and style you’re going to use. If your primary objective is writing a bio that attracts would-be clients, you probably want to lean more heavily on sharing your achievements and real-world results. If you’re more keen on attracting potential employees, you may want to share more about your leadership style and vision.

However you decide that calculus breaks down, your executive bio needs to include these five key elements.

1. Professional background and experience

Your executive bio should highlight your career journey — including key roles you’ve had and organizations you’ve been a part of. It should offer a concise view of the experience you’ve gained over the years, demonstrating how you’ve climbed the corporate ladder. Ultimately, your background provides essential context for establishing your authority and explaining how you’ve grown and evolved as a professional.

2. Achievements and contributions

In addition to general background, your bio should also include significant accomplishments you’ve racked up — like big projects you oversaw, transformative results you’ve achieved (e.g., 75% year-over-year increase in ARR), and any awards you’ve won. Have you written a best-selling book or spoken at any big-name conferences? You might want to touch upon such achievements, too.

3. Personal values

What motivates you? By including your personal values in your executive bio — like a commitment to integrity, innovation, and sustainability — you can paint a fuller picture about yourself that goes beyond your professional role. Such information can help readers understand the principles that guide your decisions and approach.

4. Leadership style

While you’re at it, you should also call attention to the way you lead teams and achieve organizational goals. Whether you’re a big believer in collaboration or mentorship, describing your leadership style can help readers learn more about what you do to keep your teams aligned and inspire them to accomplish more.

5. Vision for the future

Since the best business leaders see the future before everyone else, your executive bio should also spell out your long-term vision. What are your goals and aspirations? Where do you hope your organization will be in five, 10, 20 years? By conveying your strategic focus — whether that’s disrupting your industry or driving sustainable long-term growth — you demonstrate your motivations and show readers why they should ultimately decide to follow you.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky touts his career achievements, the fact he’s an Airbnb host, and his philanthropic commitments.

By updating your bio on a regular basis — perhaps every six months, according to Harvard Business Review — you can ensure it stays fresh and relevant.

Best practices for crafting an executive bio

Now that you know about the key elements your executive bio should include, let’s drill down a bit to examine how you can make your bio shine:

• Captivating opening. Since the average internet user reads no more than 28% of the words on any given webpage, it’s important to hook your audience right out of the gate. A captivating opening not only draws the reader in but also quickly conveys the main points of your bio.
• Clear and concise style. To combat limited attention spans, use straightforward language. Writing with clarity helps readers to absorb key information quickly, leaving a strong impression.
• Consistency across channels. Today, 90% of customers expect a consistent experience across channels. That being the case, make sure your bio aligns with the other professional profiles you publish. Consistency helps build a cohesive narrative, reinforcing your credibility.
• Iteration. As an executive, you accomplish new things every day — which is why your executive bio should be somewhat fluid. By updating your bio on a regular basis — perhaps every six months, according to Harvard Business Review — you can ensure it stays fresh and relevant.

UPS CEO Carol B. Tomé’s executive bio is as straightforward and to the point as they come.

Common mistakes to avoid when crafting an executive bio

Since your executive bio can have a huge impact on how you’re perceived and how your organization performs, it’s critically important to know the common mistakes to avoid as you begin creating yours:

• Don’t be overly generic. Your executive bio should paint a picture of who you are. Avoid using vague statements that could apply to anyone, and focus on your unique qualities and achievements instead.
• Avoid jargon at all costs. Your bio should let readers be able to quickly figure out who you are and what you’re all about. To this end, avoid using industry jargon, acronyms or complex language that can be confusing or off-putting. Stick to simple accessible language that’s easy for everyone to understand.
• Go beyond your resume. While your bio should absolutely highlight your career accomplishments, it should also encompass your personal values. Leaving this crucial information out makes your bio less personable.
• Have a clear focus. If you try to cover too much ground or highlight every single achievement, you’ll turn readers away. Keep them engaged by weaving together a clear, cohesive narrative that best represents your current goals and strengths.
• Keep your bio current. Failing to keep your bio current can make you seem like yesterday’s news. By regularly updating your bio, you can share your most recent accomplishments and visions for the future.

Ready to create your next executive bio?

An effective executive bio can have an impact on your business and career by helping you establish credibility and attract new opportunities.

On the flipside, a suboptimal bio can compromise your professional reputation — and, by extension, your company’s market value, as we learned in the beginning of this article.

This is why it’s important to take the time needed to create a bio that truly stands out. But that doesn’t mean you need to do it alone.

By partnering with a personal branding agency, you can ensure your bio is polished and resonates with the right audience. Learn more about how a personal branding agency can help you design an executive bio that impresses investors, clients, and business partners alike.

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