Launching your venture is not just about your idea or selling your product.
At some point, you’re going to have to grow your business and take it to the next level by being a great leader.
Some may have preconceived notions of what being a great leader is.
It’s certainly not someone whose main aim is to dominate every conversation and control all aspects of the business.
In this article, we take an honest look at how you can become a better leader, maybe even a great one.
Here goes…
Definition of a Leader
In simple terms, a leader is a person who leads, commands or guides a company, a group of people, or even a country.
The problem is that just because a person has the ability to control a group or company, it does not necessarily make them a great leader.
They may be a leader in name, but not a leader in reality.
With that in mind, a great leader should possess the following traits:
Inspire – A great leader inspires and does not force action.
Has a vision – A leader who has a vision and a pathway to success has the potential to be great.
Provide the tools – A great leader provides tools for the success of the group, and does not just talk a good talk filled with ‘hot air’.
A leader should possess all three qualities to be considered a great leader.
So let’s take a look at how we can improve to reach these lofty heights.
Here goes…
Self-Awareness
In order to inspire without coercion or force, it’s essential to build self-awareness.
To improve, you should reflect on any biases, weaknesses and emotional triggers.
Be honest, and aim to improve on your weaknesses. For example, if you take criticism badly, aim to get genuine feedback from your customers and use that feedback to improve your service rather than dismissing it.
Leaders who understand themselves better also make better decisions when put under pressure.
Communication Skills
To become a better leader, it’s essential that you improve your communication skills.
Remember, communication is not just about talking; there’s also an element of communication that involves listening.
Improve your communication skills by listening actively to what the other party is saying.
Bear in mind that communication also includes writing, presentation skills, public speaking, audio and video. In-person communication skills are highly important.
In the digital age we live in, any potential leader should be looking to improve in all of the above.
Improving communication skills means you will be able to communicate complex topics effectively without confusing your audience, which will help to inspire and build trust.
Read this article on Business Meeting Etiquette:
Emotional Intelligence
This is a hard one. We live in an age where everyone has easy access to tools such as social media that can be used to ‘rage bait’ or manipulate emotions.
It’s easy to point the blame at social media itself, but to become a better leader, it’s essential to look inwards and build emotional intelligence.
To improve, learn to manage your own emotions.
For example, someone posts on an emotional topic in your feed. Your initial response might be to fire back immediately with an emotional reaction.
Learn to consider why you are responding and the implications of a reply to such an incendiary message.
Recognise the potential negative effects of an emotional response, not only on yourself, but also on your team members, or the group that you are attempting to lead.
Strong emotional intelligence will lead to better conflict resolution and better outcomes in difficult times.
Lead by Example
It’s important that leaders play by the same rules that they expect their team or group to follow.
To improve, ensure that you are being consistent not only in your words, but also in your actions. Integrity should be of utmost importance.
Consistency builds trust and will always help you to become a better leader, as consistency also inspires others to be better themselves.
Bear in mind that your actions have more influence than you realise.
Strong Vision
Creating a strong vision is an essential part of being a great leader.
To improve, ensure you give your team a compelling reason to join you on your journey and a reason to stay.
Keep your mission in mind, and communicate the goals needed to achieve that mission regularly.
People are motivated when they understand where you and the company are headed.
Better Decisions
A great leader, makes great decisions.
To improve, base your decisions on evidence rather than purely ‘gut instinct’.
While gut instinct is valuable, it’s essential that you recognise your own biases.
Learn to implement your decisions and iterate depending on new evidence or feedback.
Read this article on critical thinking:
Handle Conflict
Conflict is unavoidable. As a leader, you will need to learn how to handle conflict constructively.
To improve, learn to address issues early rather than sweeping them under the carpet.
Look to solve problems rather than finger-pointing or assigning blame.
Use your emotional intelligence to prevent unnecessary escalation of conflicts.
Bear in mind that healthy conflict can lead to better decisions and stronger teams.
Not all conflicts can be resolved amicably, but it is how you deal with the conflict that counts.
Delegate
Great leaders know how to delegate.
To improve, ensure you are not holding back the implementation of decisions by being involved in every facet of the business.
Hire people and trust them to do the tasks assigned.
If you are a small company, it could mean assigning tasks to contractors or freelancers to free up your time for more important tasks.
Great leaders focus on high-impact activities that lead to genuine improvements in their companies.
Great leaders do not micromanage.
Invest in Team Growth
If people have nothing to gain from your vision, then it is unlikely that they will stay the course.
To improve, ensure you are giving your team the tools for success.
That could mean providing new skills, practical tools such as software to make their roles easier, or even financial incentives to help motivate growth.
Great leaders know how to motivate to success.
Continuous Learning
Great leaders never stop learning.
A ‘know it all’ attitude will not make you a great leader.
To improve, ensure you read books on leadership and learn from mentors and other founders.
Aim to study a range of topics, not just your particular industry.
For example, learning a new language may open up a better understanding of the culture in a region you are looking to launch.
Learning elements of psychology may open up ideas on how to improve your marketing efforts.
Bear in mind that leadership can be learned and is not a fixed trait.
Read this article on 9 Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs:
Final Thoughts
Becoming a better leader is within your grasp. Great leaders inspire and do not coerce or force action.
Improvement first begins with honesty about your own abilities in this area. Self-awareness is the foundation of becoming a good leader.
You should admit weak areas and improve upon them.
Entrepreneurs should aim to improve communication skills across all formats, hone their emotional intelligence and refine their core vision.
Savvy entrepreneurs should also realise that leading by example builds trust in their team, and the ability to delegate and invest in their team will further build that trust with loyalty and mutual respect.
The best entrepreneurs understand that their journey is one of continuous learning.
A ‘know it all’ mindset is definitely not within their thinking.
Entrepreneurs should understand that conflict is inevitable, and that while not all conflicts can be resolved amicably, conflicts should be tackled early.
Emotional intelligence should be used to prevent unnecessary escalation.
Becoming a better leader is something that can be learned through broadening the mind and exposing oneself to different viewpoints, mentors and even different industries.
Your leadership skills are not fixed; they are dependent on your willingness to learn.
How willing are you?
Good luck!
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