How Necessary Is Leadership?

How Necessary Is Leadership?

Many business owners and company managers feel that leadership isn’t fundamental to their business. There thought is if I am the sole employee of the business, then what’s the point. Do we fundamentally require leadership ability without having any employees to lead?  You may not, but is that good for your business to dismiss it?

There is always a place in your business for leadership whether or not you have 100 employees under your authority or just a few.  Leadership spills over into many facets of life. For your business, those affected include yourself, your vendors, and of course your customers. As your company grows, it’s vital to let leadership mold and shape all those who work together with you to make success a reality.

Leadership is absolutely necessary.

Leadership is based on fundamental principles that don’t change based on the size of your organization. Whether you are only leading yourself or a large corporate giant, the core of leadership remains unchanged. Leadership is the foundation upon which true success is built. Yes, there are lots of things that have to be in place to grow and thrive as a company like the business model, IT department, and organizational design.

Managers vs. Leaders

There is a huge difference between being a manager and being a leader. Managers can tell you what to do because they are the boss and you have to do what they say. Leaders show you the way and influence your behavior to make you want to excel and get the job done. Many businesses fail simply based on a lack of true leadership.

When you weave leadership values into the fabric of your business, you will undoubtedly see a swift transition for the better. The mission of the company will be apparent to everyone who works there. The atmosphere will be synergized towards common goals. People will see how personally invested you are in them and in their growth. Leading your people will directly impact revenue and quarterly financials.  

Leadership begins with trust

I’ve been a part of companies who are simply full of managers making demands of their employees and of companies that have leaders leading other leaders. Believe me, the vibe in those two environments couldn’t be any more opposite. Leadership begins with trust and trust is built on honesty. Leaders should be someone that is respected and looked up to by those who follow them and are sought after for advice. Those who don’t lead are avoided at all costs if possible. Employees want to feel valued and to feel a part of something bigger than themselves.

Don’t get me wrong, not everyone is born a visionary leader that’s able to inspire thousands towards greatness. However, like most things in life, it can be learned. Thought about getting a leadership coach or mentor to help you out? Not many have, but this is an investment that pays dividends.

Coaches and Mentors

Coaches can help you to look at who you are and self-assess both strengths and weaknesses. They also build you up into a better version of yourself. Yes, you get honest and sometimes disheartening feedback, but it’s to make you a better leader, not to tear you down.  Coaching moments in life are some of the best memories you can ever have. These lessons stick with you and change how you approach difficult circumstances or obstacles in your business.

Things You Should Do Immediately

• Give it a try and make it a goal to become a leader
• Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses
• Think about prior conversations with employees and what could have been different
• Look into hiring a business coach
• Trust in the process – It takes time
• Approach every interaction with your leadership hat on
• Ask yourself: Would I want to follow me?