Preparation: According to 'How to Become a Third Sector Chief Executive' written by Cass CCE for Acevo, preparation is essential. Prepare yourself for the job search and ensure you understand the role and your motivations, as well as assessing your knowledge skills and leadership ability. Also prepare for the recruitment process, take due diligence when making your application and preparing for interview. Finally, prepare to take up the role by making the most of the countdown time and learning from the current chief executive. Research: Research undertaken by the Work Foundation explores the difference between good leadership and outstanding leadership. It was based primarily on interviews with private sector organisations but is also applicable to leaders in the non-profit sector. The three main themes are: to think and act systemically, understand the whole and the connection between internal activities and the external environment; see people as the route to performance, build relationships and provide an environment in which they can shine; have self-confidence without being arrogant, a professional will and personal humility. Skills: Skills are dependent on the type and size of the organisation and the sort of work that the charity undertakes. For example, the skills required for the chief executive of a campaigning charity may be different to those required to run a hospice. Given those considerations, the basic skills are: outstanding leadership; understanding how to lead and manage volunteers; understanding the difference between governance and management, and working with the board; fundraising and tight control of finances;