Being an entrepreneur, as defined by on-line encyclopaedia Wikipedia, applies to ‘a person who is willing to help launch a new venture or enterprise and accept full responsibility for the outcome.” Being willing to jump two feet first into a new adventure is not an easy task. But it can be hugely rewarding. And once at the head of a successful venture, one has to lead. This is a snapshot of what it takes to be in leadership.
You have now settled your business, let it be a flourishing internet-based company or a chain of restaurants. Based on a simple idea, you have developed a business plan, target your market, evaluate potential risks and outcomes and shared your vision with the relevant partners. The few steps prior to the launch of a business are already marked with the stamp of leadership.
One may think it only takes bravery and courage – and a little bit of wildness too – to be an entrepreneur, but the reality is: it takes leadership skills. One has to go through all obstacles, often alone, lead potential teams and partners towards an idea that has yet to emerge. How do you get to this state? How do you become a leader?
Leadership can be taught and learned. There are some tricks and tips that can help you gain confidence and the trust of people around you, may it be your team or your partners.
One may think it only takes bravery and courage – and a little bit of wildness too – to be an entrepreneur, but the reality is: it takes leadership skills. One has to go through all obstacles, often alone, lead potential teams and partners towards an idea that has yet to emerge. How do you get to this state? How do you become a leader?
Leadership can be taught and learned. There are some tricks and tips that can help you gain confidence and the trust of people around you, may it be your team or your partners.
The Golden Key: Listen
One of the most important rules to be a great leader is the ability to listen. Leaders take the time to listen to others, grasp information, let one’s creation and contribution be heard and valued before emitting a comment. It is crucial not to miss this step and cut people off. Don’t judge before you have taken the time to listen to the whole story. Allow others to express themselves. And only then, give your opinion and advice.
One of the most important rules to be a great leader is the ability to listen. Leaders take the time to listen to others, grasp information, let one’s creation and contribution be heard and valued before emitting a comment. It is crucial not to miss this step and cut people off. Don’t judge before you have taken the time to listen to the whole story. Allow others to express themselves. And only then, give your opinion and advice.
Image by glennharper via Flickr Recognition Of Talent
As a leader, it is important to be able to recognize who is doing what and who is succeeding at certain tasks. Your team needs support and attention and although criticism can be constructive, regular acknowledgement of one’s success is essential. Has one of your employees exceeded his sales for the month? Share his story with others. Call him personally to give him your congratulation. Use his example as an inspiration to others. And even give him a reward. It doesn’t need to be overwhelming, but acknowledgement of success is what will make your employees trust you as a leader.
As a leader, it is important to be able to recognize who is doing what and who is succeeding at certain tasks. Your team needs support and attention and although criticism can be constructive, regular acknowledgement of one’s success is essential. Has one of your employees exceeded his sales for the month? Share his story with others. Call him personally to give him your congratulation. Use his example as an inspiration to others. And even give him a reward. It doesn’t need to be overwhelming, but acknowledgement of success is what will make your employees trust you as a leader.
Accept Your Mistakes
Being a leader doesn’t mean being irreproachable. It doesn’t prevent you from being human. Escaping this reality will only make people less respectful. So whenever you make mistakes, be honest about it. You don’t need to share them with the world, you don’t need to post them on Twitter or Facebook hoping to get repentance for it – and risking to ignite fire instead – but don’t blame someone else for something you have done wrong.
Being a leader doesn’t mean being irreproachable. It doesn’t prevent you from being human. Escaping this reality will only make people less respectful. So whenever you make mistakes, be honest about it. You don’t need to share them with the world, you don’t need to post them on Twitter or Facebook hoping to get repentance for it – and risking to ignite fire instead – but don’t blame someone else for something you have done wrong.
Set The Right Example
Do what you preach. This is as simple as stated. If you ask your employees to be on time, don’t arrive late to meetings. If you want them to respect you, respect them in regards. Equal standards apply if you want to be a good leader. Show your team, your partners, how to drive the business by respecting a certain ethic and not compromising on your core values.
Do what you preach. This is as simple as stated. If you ask your employees to be on time, don’t arrive late to meetings. If you want them to respect you, respect them in regards. Equal standards apply if you want to be a good leader. Show your team, your partners, how to drive the business by respecting a certain ethic and not compromising on your core values.
Get Inspired And Inspire
You became the entrepreneur you are because you had an idea, a passion, a vision. Something that drove you to launch the business you are in and make it a success. Well, keep the fire going. In order to have a driven team behind you, you will need to inspire them. To show them why it is worth waking up every day and go to work. This might require you to get inspired too, so don’t hesitate to join workshops, establish connections, go to conferences that may be relevant to the field you work in and never stop learning. This way you will keep on growing and help others grow along.
You became the entrepreneur you are because you had an idea, a passion, a vision. Something that drove you to launch the business you are in and make it a success. Well, keep the fire going. In order to have a driven team behind you, you will need to inspire them. To show them why it is worth waking up every day and go to work. This might require you to get inspired too, so don’t hesitate to join workshops, establish connections, go to conferences that may be relevant to the field you work in and never stop learning. This way you will keep on growing and help others grow along.
Many say being a leader can be walking on a very lonely path. But it doesn’t have to be this way. It is up to you to make sure that your team backs you up, follows you and respects you so that your path as a successful leading entrepreneur is never a lonely one.
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