Small business leaders need more confidence, knowledge and exposure since we all know that a start up or small business has more challenges to face in its way when compared to huge entities in some aspects. A leader in a startup business is someone who should be more confident, enthusiastic, inventive and persistent. When a lot of people think about being a ladder, all that they can relate to is a charismatic speaker preaching and addressing to a huge mass. Even though, it’s one of the elements that must not go missing in the personality of the new business leaders, it can’t be denied that there is certainly more to it.
Why is there a sudden emphasis on leadership?
Business environment of today is changing with an increasing rate and small/new businesses are no exception. The changes taking place in the business environment of today is the major reason behind the growing concern for a better and improved leadership much needed in the current scenario where new businesses are facing more challenges than they ever did, in the past.
Talking about the past, the new leaders in startup businesses were required to maintain their status quo so that they could ahead in the game but now the new forces in the marketplace of today have rather changed the entire game. It has become all the more important to expand on the narrow focus that existed so far. The new entrepreneurs and leaders are rather more visionary and they are not just proud teachers, they are also the enthusiastic learners. Most of them today have a good sense of ethics and they encourage growth in terms of integrity within organisations.
Key traits that make a good leader
Here are some of the most useful tips that are designed keeping in mind the unique and practical approach that the new business leaders of today must adopt. Let us discuss the traits that make an impactful leader in the long run.
Emotional stability
It is extremely important for the effective leaders to have a high level of endurance for stress and frustration. As business expands, stress and frustration are likely to crop over! They must be able to adjust well and have the kind of emotional stability that would rather give them strength to fight with all the odds during the business development. They must display psychological maturity and have the courage to deal with almost everything that comes their way during the growth of business.
Competitiveness in attitude
Leaders must have the right attitude and a good sense of competitiveness which means they should be involved in healthy competition. Good leaders always enjoy being decisive and overcoming the obstacles that come their way. They must be optimistic and assertive when it comes to their own thinking style and the kind of attitude they adopt while they are dealing with others in the business.
Enthusiasm
Good leaders are always enthusiastic, active and energetic and this also helps them keep their eyes open in a time when everyone is looking to grab the best opportunities in the market. This requires them to be quick as well as alert.
Self-disciplined
Good leaders know what it means to be dominated by a sense of their own duty and responsibilities largely expected from them. They have a desire from within that often motivates them to work which also pushes them towards achieving higher standards of excellence each time. In most of the cases, they are quite self-disciplined.
Social balance
Leaders must know how they are going to act in the social sphere of their life and that their personal issues should not affect their professional relationships. They are socially aggressive and know what it means to be responsive to people in and also outside their profession. It helps them develop contacts and they are often seen to be high on the emotional stamina.
Empathy
Good leaders also know that they are often required to step into the shoes of others which are one of the important traits of the leaders. If you lack empathy, then you lack trust and when you lack trust it becomes very tough to take the employees into confidence and to get the best out of them and their work.
Self assurance and confidence
Leaders have a good deal of confidence in them and have a great sense of self assurance without which they can’t make even a single move in their business. They are the risk-takers and don’t always need approval over little things. However, they are always open to new ideas and welcome suggestions that can make a difference. They are often free of guilt but they learn from their mistakes and continue taking decisions in the favour of their company and its growth.
They say that “leaders are rarely born” but today good leaders are born with these key traits in them and probably that makes them the leader of their team or an owner of a new company. They adapt to the changing requirements of the time and flow with the changes in the market. They have a charisma that grabs attention, sets them apart and the employees working with them feel motivated while they work towards achieving a common goal. Now it’s time to ask yourself – ‘Am I a leader’?
About the Author: Colin Boykins is a blogger and social media addict. He is currently associated with the UK’s most trusted supplier of security posts – Parking-Posts.com.
