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“Do
you know the single greatest problem in any organization? The answer is simple:
a lack of managerial skills. Obvious? Perhaps. Unfortunately, we lose sight of
this fact” – Anthony D’Souza.
Is your small business a
casualty?
For many decades, we have
viewed leadership as power, honor, prestige, authority, or personal advantage.
In his book, Leadership-Trilogy on Leadership and
Effective Management, D’Souza says that a modern leader seeks to be of
service, rather than dominate. A leader encourages and inspires as well as
respects others rather than exploit their personalities.
As a small business owner,
do you have the attributes of a modern leader that D’Souza talks about?
If not, don’t despair or
feel out of place. Today, you’ll learn the leadership characteristics that you
must possess to take your small business to the next level.
If you keep on reading, your
business will thrive because you’ll have the vital leadership characteristics
to effectively manage your entity. They are:
1. Goal orientation
“A mark of leaders, an attribute that
puts them in a position to show the way for others, is that they’re better than
most at pointing the direction. As long as one is leading, one always has a
goal. It may be a goal arrived at by group consensus, or the leader, acting on
inspiration, may simply have said, “Let’s go this way”. But the leader always
knows what it is and can articulate it for any who are unsure. By clearly
stating and restating the goal, the leader gives certainty and purpose to
others who may have difficulty in achieving it for themselves”- Robert Greenleaf.
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Following
the articulated steps of starting a small business to the letter won’t help much. Reason? You need
a goal (s).
How
do businesses express their goal (s) to the general public? Simple: through a vision.
Do
you know that a small business without a vision is like a ship without a
ladder?
I
bet you have the urge to succeed. Simply set your goals right. Lead your
business to success.
2. Enablement
Do you focus on helping others grow?
Most
of us lack this attribute. We, small business owners, focus on enriching
ourselves at the expense of our employees and customers. Our main reason is to
make profits. We forget that we should be rewarded for helping others by
meeting their needs and wants.
If
your customers or employees realize that you’re out to exploit them, they’ll
run away from you.
Can
you pinpoint any business that can survive without customers or the required human
resources? I bet your can’t.
Enable
others grow or you’re out of business!
3. Concern
“Leadership is service, in the sense
that it seeks to meet the demands of another or of the group by performing
needed functions. Sometimes strong directive power is effective leadership,
such as when a group has lost its sense of direction or purpose; with another
group, or at another time when the group is functioning well in its
relationships and has its directions clear, non-directive styles of leadership
are needed. Sometimes the group needs to be encouraged and supported; at other
times it may need to be reoriented. Leadership serves the needs of the group”- Robert Keating.
Do
you know what makes it difficult to manage people? It is because they’ve likes
and dislikes, needs and feelings, and the ability to think for themselves.
Well,
if you show concern and treat people with respect as well as enable them
achieve their needs, you’ll succeed in business. You can do this by
establishing a conducive working environment, sponsoring your employees to
attend seminars and trainings, or giving advice to your clients on how to use
your products or services effectively.
Bonus Leadership Trait
I know I promised to give you only three
leadership traits. Since you’ve read this far, I feel obliged to go further and
educate you more. It is for this reason that I’ll give you the fourth
leadership trait.
4. Self Development
Do you have the “I-can-win-attitude in
you?
Your
answer should be yes! There’s no way you can lead your business to success if
you’ve a negative image. Negativity hinders you from realizing your full
potential. Therefore, develop a positive healthy self-image by mingling with
positive-minded people. Moreover, read self-development books that will enable
you become a better entrepreneur and a leader.
The above leadership
characteristics will propel you to greater heights of business success. Act on
them.
Educate your buddies in
business by sharing with them what you have learnt. Simply click the sharing buttons below. Together, let’s make this
world a better place.
