As an entrepreneur, functional leadership skills go with the territory – key to managing and motivating employees, communicating with customers and inspiring people through a clear vision. Leadership isn’t one-dimensional. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game a while, here are tips for meeting the challenges of small business leadership.
1. Inspire others with your business vision
Work out what your vision encompasses – the parts of your operation where your special ‘way we do things’ is pivotal. Make it specific and detailed: what does success look, feel and sound like? Convey it compellingly and you’ll get your whole team aligned.
2. Get buy-in for your vision
Once your vision has crystallised, bring your staff and stakeholders up to speed. Printed vision statements help, but vision implies visual – provide imagery that shows your business vision at work in the real world.
3. Ensure open communication
Many business issues stem from poor communication. If you’re not strong verbally, use email with clear conventions (one topic per email) or a team chat, so everyone has a voice and every input can be addressed methodically.
4. Break down your own barriers
Self-directed drive can lead to a lack of self-awareness. A thoughtful leader takes time for introspection to understand the gaps in their own skillset – and how to fix or work around them – rather than programming those inefficiencies into the organisation.
5. Give and receive feedback well
Create channels to receive input from customers and to encourage dialogue with employees and partners. Use active listening to understand not just what people say but why they’re saying it.
6. Know what your business is good and bad at
Apply a SWOT analysis – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats – at every scale, from a single product line up to the whole business, accounting for external forces too.
7. Give your team true motivation
Great leaders are backed by teams that care. This care – not money or prestige – is what makes for true motivation. Provide a stimulating environment, a sense of purpose and meaningful work, and your team will go the extra mile.
8. Approachability, commitment, honesty
You can’t lead well if people find you unwelcoming, flaky or evasive. Keep your door open, model ideal company behaviours, and back verbal promises with action. Leadership is initiative made social – develop it consciously if you want your team to do its best work.