subject: Are You An Effective Leader Of Your Business? [print this page] If you are the owner of a small business it is not necessary that be called a leader. But it is essential that you should be one. Starting a small business is just the beginning. Running it reasonably well is another step forward, but to really reach the heights and take you places,you need to be an effective business leader. Without a proper leader, any business will move ahead aimlessly and will finally shut shop. Leadership is a dynamic active role which the business owner plays in shaping the future of his business and employees. He is the driving force at the helm which energizes the business and keeps the employees motivated, loyal and enthusiastic to put in their best performance.
There are many epithets to describe a leader a balanced and dynamic personality, a visionary, one who possesses foresight, a brave heart with the courage to explore new frontiers. In fact, leadership is an amalgamation of all these qualities. A business owner, who can lead his team to success, has to first develop certain traits which are applicable to one and all. They are as follows:
A Leader should be a Good Planner
A business leader should essentially be proactive rather than reactive. More than being the strong support during crisis, which a leader must surely be able to do, a true business leader will plan and foresee the crisis coming up. Leadership is the capability to identify imminent problems and solve them before they reach the huge proportions of a crisis. In the same way, a leader should also be able to grasp opportunity and possess the ability to make good use of the good fortune and windfalls as and when they come by. It is of vital importance for a good leader to plan and analyse and align the plans to the fresh opportunities and new circumstances for the benefit of the organization.
A leader will necessarily have a vision for growth
All successful leaders are to some extent or the other visionaries by nature. They are driven by an aim or concept of what they want to be and this vision provides them the direction in which growth is best for the business. Without a final destination or goal, no amount of plan can work for small businesses which will float like rudderless boats in deep seas. It is imperative that every business should have a Vision Statement that gives a concrete and tangible shape to the ambition,
the objective, the aim of the leader and the organization. Since it is the embodiment of your dreams and your passions, a vision statement will also serve as a leadership vision.
Sharing the Vision is the winning strategy
Your leadership and vision will take on a whole new dimension if it is shared with others, especially the people whom you work with and who work for you. Giving voice to your vision will make it even stronger in your mind and the passion to achieve it will be all the more persuasive and you will strive with all your capacity to achieve it. This way others will respect you for your dynamism and will admire your drive and enthusiasm in steering your business forward.
As a leader you should always be in charge
You have built a business around you and have been able to reach a particular stage. It is up to you now to ensure that all aspects of the business are under your charge, directly or indirectly. If you have to implement a business plan, or upgrade your business, or troubleshoot in a crisis it is you who has to take the right action in the right direction. As a leader, just talking will not suffice, you will have to take effective steps for the well being and growth of your small business.
Leaders should provide inspiration
In developing your business you should act in a way which will inspire the people around you and also those whom you come in contact with. If we are asked what inspires us, we easily enumerate the qualities in the people who we consider as an inspiration to us. These qualities should be exemplified in you, as a leader. If we are able to tread the path of integrity and single-minded determination to excel and make others follow us on this path of progress, then we have proven to have been inspirational.
Leadership is not easy One has to learn its value through effort
Treading the path of a leader, being a pathfinder and torch bearer is not an easy task. It requires great determination, a self professed strong determination, and commitment to develop ones business leadership skills. It is only you and your willingness to make the effort that can transform you into becoming a good leader. To ensure the success of your business it is essential to develop leadership skills, which will be rewarding in the long run. By applying the important principles explained to your business leadership, you can be the leader for your small business needs.
