Being a good leader isn’t an easy undertaking. Nevertheless, as an entrepreneur, give or take, at some point in time, you will have to lead others. Many things could spur you to take a leadership role, one of them is the rapidly changing landscape of our workplace.
At some point in time, you might be involved with a project that requires you to monitor others under your supervision, in other instances, you might be working on a gig that requires you to collaborate with other workers, or you might have a traditional management role. Whatever, you come across, the ability to lead is indispensable, and it will undoubtedly come your way. The question is, how can you be a successful leader who brings out the best in others?
That entails employing several skills; below, we explore seven of them and see how they contribute to the success of others in your team.
Develop a Strategic Vision
As a leader, it is imperative to know where your team is headed. Strategic vision enables you to think more broadly, allowing you to solve business problems and plan for the future of your team and company. To that end, it is vital to remember the difference between essential and urgent tasks. When a task requires immediate attention, it can take a lot of energy from you, leaving little space for the other important duties that also need attention.
That’s why, as a leader, it is imperative to set your priorities right and manage your time accordingly; in doing so, you lead with agility. You also won’t rely on assumptions or gut instincts when answering questions because you have used critical thinking to gather information and to make decisions.
Communicate with Transparency
Your team needs to share your joys, trials, and tribulations. To that end, you can’t hide or keep things secret from them. That’s why it is essential to let your team know what’s going on with your business. For example, if you are making money, your employees should know about it and be rewarded as well. This will serve as a motivating factor for them to give their best.
Spot and Retain the Best Talent
Your company is only as good as the talent you hire. That’s why, when you recruit top talent, it is vital to retain them by investing in their development through training and coaching. It’s a given, great leaders always surround themselves with the best people, ones who are talented, courageous, and loyal. These individuals spur their creativity and help them think out of the box.
Know how and When to Delegate
Entrepreneurs have it in them to think strategically and take matters into their own hands, after all, that’s how they were successful in establishing their own business. Nevertheless, when it comes to delegating, you have to remember that you can’t be all things at the same time. You can’t be the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer, the marketing director, and the sales manager at the same time.
Everybody has a role, and delegating tasks helps you fulfill these roles and allows you as a leader to focus on what’s important. Delegating also empowers your team, after all, it will enable others to think strategically when you are not always there.
Lead by Example
When you lead by example, you live by what you preach. People will be more inspired to copy your actions that way, rather than being told what to do. After all, most charismatic leaders have strong values.
Ask for Advice
Globally, businesses are constantly changing, from the need to adapt to new technology to shifts in industry strategies; entrepreneurs recognize the need to adjust. To that end, you can’t claim to know it all; you will need an advisor or mentor to help you keep up with industry trends, so that you are not easily left behind.
Develop Leaders
A good leader inspires others to give their best and, in turn, take the lead at some point. In many organizations, leaders don’t have to be in positions of power; they can be found at all levels. To that end, you can help others develop and hone their leadership skills, that will allow you to build a strong leadership pipeline in your company.
David Messiha | Staff Writer
