Great business leaders come in many different forms, from visionaries like Apple founder Steve Jobs to big personalities like Virgin’s Richard Branson and diversity champions such as former Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg.
A business leader should bring people together, have staff working towards a common goal, and keep people updated about where a company is heading. They should also keep staff energised in good times and bad.
While there’s no single secret to becoming a brilliant leader, there are steps you can take to develop a great culture, keep people inspired, and strengthen your relationship with your team.
Here are five ways to take your leadership to the next level:
- Create a shared sense of purpose and be clear about where the business is going.
Explain your decision-making. Show how your actions benefit your employees and the business. Make sure you’re honest and have nothing to hide. - Always treat people fairly — give credit where it’s due and take responsibility when things go wrong.
Let employees know you appreciate their work. Be accountable when things go wrong and hold your hand up when a plan hasn’t come to fruition. - Accept you have a moral duty to everyone impacted by your business: your staff, their families and the community.
Business owners don’t operate in a bubble. Remember your actions will impact employees, their families, and the local area. - Motivate staff through continual development and learning, and help them flourish.
Encourage staff to upskill and learn more about their roles. That way you can boost employees’ self-esteem and add valuable new tools to your business. - Show trust in your staff and treat them with respect.
The more you can trust your employees, the more they will trust you and your leadership. Trust builds confidence, creativity, and high performance.
There is a wealth of resources available to help company owners fine-tune their management skills. Talk to your business adviser or accountant about options to enhance your leadership.
Disclaimer: This blog has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms only. The blog should not be relied upon to provide specific information without also obtaining appropriate professional advice after detailed examination of your particular situation.
