OK, you might be a business owner, but are you a good business leader? Let’s be honest, whether you own a large business or a small start-up enterprise, being a good leader is essential. After all, successful leadership will lead to satisfied employees, which inevitably means an increase in staff loyalty and productivity.
So, what are the qualities of a good business leader? Here are five traits that you should possess. And don’t worry, if you don’t think you tick every box, the great thing is, you can learn how to be a good leader.
A good listener
It’s important to recognise the difference between being an effective leader and a dictator. And the main difference between the two is having the ability to listen.
Listening is key – and that’s listening to both your employees and your customers.
Here are five reasons why listening as a business owner is so important:
- Listening shows you care
- Listening ensures you can handle situations effectively and professionally
- Listening will help you better understand your business
- Listening will support your understanding of your teams
- Listening will improve your knowledge and ability as a business owner
Communication is key
Although it might not always be the easiest thing to do, it’s vital that as a business owner, you prioritise communication – and what’s more, being honest.
Regularly communicating with your team will strengthen relationships between yourself and employees, demonstrating that you respect and value them by keeping them in the loop. Better still, communication enhances honesty and transparency in the workplace, which could, in turn, prevent any issues from taking place in the future.
Be willing to delegate
OK, this is a tricky one – and something that many business leaders struggle with, but being able to delegate is essential in the role. After all, what’s the point in employing a pool of talented staff if you’re not willing to give them any work?
We get it, your business is your baby, and it’s sometimes challenging to hand over any responsibility. But by doing this, you’ll not only be supporting your staff in their growth, but you will be able to focus your time and energy on more relevant tasks. All of this will lead to the development of your business.
Goal setter
No matter what stage you are in your business’s journey, it’s essential that you continue to set goals. Honestly, a successful business is built on a foundation of goal setting that effective strategies can be formed around. What’s more, having solid, clear goals in place – that you have communicated with your team – is due to boost productivity and employee satisfaction.
Treat team fairly
Treating your team and colleagues equally, regardless of the circumstances or their background, is a must-have quality of any good leader. Plus, being seen as a fair leader will no doubt demand respect from your team members too.
As a leader, the chances are a lot of your time will be spent dealing with people management and potential conflicts. Unfortunately, you simply won’t have the time to examine the fine details in every situation, which means you need to approach issues with an open mind. You can make things easier for you by ensuring there are pre-written policies and practices in place, so you can handle any issues – whether they are internal or external – fairly.
Are you ready to become a better leader?
So we’ve discussed the qualities of a good leader. Now it’s time to put them into practice. If you’re wanting to become a better leader and fall in love with your business again, then get in touch with Aurelius Advisory. We offer coaching for business owners, working with them to be more in control as a leader, leading to a less stressful life while watching your sales grow. Contact us today.