As a small business owner you are in effect a leader in your own right and yet may not realise it. Do these skills come naturally to you? Or have you learned and honed these skills in previous jobs, professions or activities where leadership is required? Many will find that they have mastered good leadership skills in their business through experience and time. There is a place for good leadership in your own business. You might not see yourself as a leader and that you just have your own business.
“Leaders never outgrow the need to change.” – John Maxwell
Imagine your business as a sailing vessel. It needs someone to handle the day to day operations. It needs a destination. It needs navigating and knowing when to adjust the course when relevant. It needs management. It needs a captain! Welcome aboard your business, Captain!
Here are some thoughts to consider when leading your ship.
Good leadership means taking responsibility for yourself and continuously learning and developing not only for but your business as well. Self motivation is key for the success of your business. This is what keeps you focused when challenges occur and when you need a reminder of why you have your own business.
Good leadership means as a business owner you will have a plan, a vision of where your business is going in the next 12 months and beyond. What are your goals? Make financial plans for retirement? Sell the business on? Maintaining a lifestyle that suits you and your family?
Good leadership as a business owner embraces change, plans for it and adapts. You look at what is coming in and what is going out. Looking ahead, being aware of potential problems that could occur, and planning. Planning for growth, trimming back a bit, moving direction, taking on staff, all of the immediate actions that could impact on longer term goals.
Good leadership as a business owner delivers not just good but great interpersonal and communication skills when dealing with people interactions on a daily basis. Exceptional skills enable you to influence others to get the desired results all round without others losing face or feeling they have been beaten into submission.
Good leadership as a business owner enables you to be decisive. That means trusting in your gut instincts, looking at facts, gaining insight from others, avoid burying your head in the sand and standing by the courage of your convictions.
Running a business is a demanding task and good leadership skills are vital to the success of your business. What other important leadership skills should be on your list?
Yours socially
Micala