Leadership…is it in you?

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If you’re like most entrepreneurs, there are plenty of days you don’t feel much like a leader, but as a business owner, that’s a major part of your job description, a huge driver for success…or failure. Are you focused on being a great leader?

Leadership is needed in all kinds of places, it’s not just about business owners, it’s a universal requirement – it’s something everyone will step up to at some point in their life. Some feel they are called to lead in areas of high visibility while others may lead in areas where their leadership almost goes almost unnoticed but is important just the same. Teachers (or even our role as parents) are examples of unnoticed leaders, but effective leadership in those roles is profoundly important to the development of a child.

As a business owner what your business really needs is effective leadership from you!

But what is effective leadership?  For the entrepreneur this timeless quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson gives us a great perspective:

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”

It sounds simplistic, if you lead a company you need to be willing to step up and lead – blaze a path, make things happen. Your employees will respect and respond to effective leadership. Some may complain about it, but that doesn’t mean they don’t prefer it. In fact there’s a feeling of security when companies have strong leaders.

In order to respond to change or steer in a new direction you need to lead.  Or consider the alternative – with weak leadership your business will never reach its full potential, because your employees will not be performing at theirs. With weak leadership you’ll be average (at best). Your business will get lost, you will get lost.  But if you’re willing to step up and take charge, you may be amazed at what you and your team can accomplish.

Leadership doesn’t come naturally – at least to most people. To develop your leadership skills you need to work on them and make it an intentional focus. If leadership is important to you, it needs to be a continuous improvement area of your life. Accomplished leaders will tell you they are always searching for ways to improve their ability to lead.

Today, I want you to think about your business, your territory, your staff, whatever it is that you are responsible for “leading”. What can you do to make your leadership set you apart from others? Make it more effective? What isn’t working for you now? If it isn’t working, try something different today. Don’t overthink it. It can be simple, but take action. Be fair, consistent, and firm in your action. Be that person, step off the path…Lead!

Schedule a reminder on your calendar and share an update in the comments below in a few days; we would love to hear your “leadership” results.

Chris Steinlage    Kansas City Business Coach

photo by jimbowen0306