Leadership is a quality every successful entrepreneur must embrace because the fate of your entire company rests on you. This is a course you and only you see for yourself with startling clarity. At some point – even those who work for and with you might not have the conviction you have.
So you, and only you carry the weight.
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Unfortunately, as ideal and fancy that sounds, the reality is that not everybody possesses leadership qualities required to lead people – or even lead themselves. To be a leader, to be a successful entrepreneur, discipline has to be the watchword.
One of my favorite quotes about leadership is ‘A boss says ‘go’, a leader says ‘let’s go’.’ I have no idea who said it – Google ascribes it to several people – but it resounds with me because it says a lot without saying too much.
Saying ‘let’s go’ suggests oneness of purpose – a ‘we’re in this together’ mind state. It’s an attitude that tells other members of the team that no matter what happens, whether in a smooth sail or stormy winds, the leader is in it with them – all the way.
I know something about poor leadership.
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I used to work for a man who didn’t value his staff as much as he valued himself. He would delay salary payments, owe money for months while he would be vacationing with his family in some fancy destination – all on the company’s money. I sigh in frustration whenever I remember a particular Christmas. That year, the staff had been owed for two months and was hoping things would change around the festive season. Imagine the anger when the accountant said they wouldn’t be able to pay that year – and the boss goes ahead and orders another vehicle for his wife.
They nearly had a riot on their hands. It was the timely intervention of some clients that prevented the company from being torn apart from within.
But it was only a matter of time. He usually managed to skim through, but after the economic meltdown, he just couldn’t get away with it any more.
People began to leave in droves.
Needless to say, it was pretty much a downhill ride from that point on.
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At the beginning of every startup, especially at that point when it seems as though the money isn’t yet a reality, a lot of sacrifices have to be made. It’s hard – almost impossible – to find people willing to sink or swim with you. And that makes it necessary for you, as the leader, to be willing to sink and swim with them.
Don’t demand that they show up for work at eight am and then waltz in at ten. Ask them to show up at eight – and be there an hour earlier. If you want your team to have a particular style or look, begin with yourself. As much as possible be involved in the process without micromanaging. While these things may seem insignificant, the lessons behind them are important. Every member of your team is a valuable asset, and this cannot be overemphasized.
So being a leader has to do with several buzzwords; like integrity – being a person of your word. As a pastor I know says it – ”integrity is not faultlessness; rather it is ‘falselessness’.”
I agree.
Priorities
The ability to prioritize also matters a whole deal in leadership. This skill has to do with discernment – knowing what matters, what is really worth your time and attention, and knowing what is mere distraction. Setting deadlines and sticking with them also matters a lot. As a leader or/and an entrepreneur, it’s of the utmost importance that you know what really matters – and then make time for it. This includes other activities asides from work – because as important as your work is, it is not the sum of who you are as a human being living in a human world.
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Communication
Interaction and connection with others are an important element of leadership. As a leader, you must understand how to sieve people and relationships based on your values, goals, and ambitions. Someone who tells you your vision isn’t realistic isn’t good for you; neither is someone who agrees with you all the time. An entrepreneur is someone who has his head in the clouds with both feet planted firmly on the ground. The phrase ‘be realistic’ is a potent dream killer – as many before you have found out.
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. While this might begin to sound like a guide to entrepreneurship by someone who isn’t smart enough to be an entrepreneur, it is really just a bunch of thoughts gathered by experience and observation. Therefore, you will have to sieve through everything you read, use what you consider useful, and discard the rest.
Trust yourself. Don’t just set standards. Be the standard.
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