How to be a Strong Leader in Business by Luke Kay
For your business to thrive and to achieve your goals, you need to be able to guide and inspire your team. If you’re not a strong leader, how do you expect your employees to understand their role within the business and help to make a positive impact?
Here we look at 6 ways to be a strong leader
Create Clarity
This is two-fold. You firstly want everyone on your team to understand the vision for the business. Make it clear what the mission, vision and values of the business are, with real clarity on any goals you set. If they don’t know or don’t understand these key elements, how can you expect them to work with you to achieve them?
Secondly, make sure each team member has clarity on why their role exists. Each employee should be able to see their purpose within the company and answer the question, why are you here? You’ve created that role for a reason. Make sure they know it!
Set Clear Goals and Expectations
Your team understands the business and their role, this is great, but now you need to set them clear goals and expectations. Each employee should have their own individual goals that align with their role and level of responsibility.
If you’ve not clearly defined what’s expected of them, how can you help to guide them if they are not meeting unknown expectations? Or motivate them with celebrations of their own success?
Provide energy
It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to feel quite as passionately about your business as you do, that’s why it’s your business. You can’t expect employees to work overtime and put in the same hours as you do, but what you can do is provide energy.
People react to emotions. If you are energised, excited, and openly passionate about your business, you’ll provide the fuel your team needs to get behind your vision and help you achieve it.
Practice open and honest communication
You’ll carry a lot of weight and responsibility on your shoulders as a business owner, and what you need behind you is a team that respects and trusts you. Be open and honest about the business and share with them the roadmap you’ve laid out.
This applies to your relationship with each employee directly too. If they are underachieving or not delivering as they should, give them honest and constructive feedback with guidance. On the same note, if they are performing well make sure you tell them so.
Be Decisive
If you can’t make a decision you leave uncertainty and confusion in your wake. Your team looks to you for leadership, you can seek their opinions and value their input, but the decision lies with you. Being strong and confident in your decisions will ensure you get the support of the team.
Ask for feedback
Employee reviews are important, an opportunity for you to feedback on their performance and set their goals and expectations for the future. But, what about what they think of you and your performance?
Asking for feedback is just as important for you to learn and grow as a leader. It can be difficult for your team to feel they can give honest feedback to the boss, especially if there is a negative aspect to it, so perhaps make this anonymous. Use what you learn constructively to make yourself a better leader.
You’re absolutely right. And sharing with them your vision, mission and goals is a great place to start!