Written by: Dolores Andrew, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Developing a mindset for business success
Have you ever heard the saying “They are a born leader” and felt that leadership was something you either had or hadn’t?
Your belief around your answer will give you a good indication of where you are in your own leadership style.
There are many qualities a good leader possesses and, depending on the job you are in, certain qualities will serve you better. There is no one size fits all and a great leader knows this.
Here are three ways to support you being a great leader.
1. Build a culture that supports.
The culture of an organisation is the atmosphere that silently speaks its values.
Your employees glean from this culture, what is acceptable and what is not. Even if the organisation’s values are not written down, the actions of everyone, from the top-down fuel the culture. Employees decode the culture for themselves and work inside its parameters.
If an employee feels unacknowledged and unsupported no matter what they do, chances are they won’t have the same work ethos as something who feels supported. The invisible culture of lack permeates every department. Finance won’t support administration and sales may ignore marketing.
However, when your organisation has a culture of inclusion and support which are demonstrated by the actions of everyone, including managers, this too will permeate your organisation.
2. A great leader builds a team around them that supports the strengths of each individual.
We are not all good at everything and that’s a fact. Even if you are a master of a lot of things, chances are you prefer to concentrate on one particular area.
A great leader will build a support team around them that enhances each person’s strengths. When you have a project that requires different areas of expertise having people who thrive in each area working together enhances the outcome.
Having team meetings that allow everyone at the table speak to their strengths, builds a culture which demonstrates inclusion and diversity and builds leaders. This drives higher productivity and creates greater staff retention. Everyone is in alignment with the company values and in alignment with their own values. It’s win-win and creates a culture of belonging.
If you are starting out in business and do everything yourself, find the loopholes you have in what you do and find the support you need.
3. A great leader is open-minded and willing to listen.
A sales and a marketing department that listen to each other’s needs and concerns will benefit the overall organisation.
If one department comes to you and expressing their concerns be open-minded. Failing to listen to genuine concerns can be costly.
A closed-minded culture tells those around you that it’s your way or the highway. You miss evolutionary opportunities others bring to the table.
If you work on your own and do everything yourself, understand where you are not being open-minded or listening to your clients. If your social media has great interaction but your sales fall short, then you need to look at the message your marketing has and rethink it.
Your ideal clients will interact with you when you put out the right message. If more sales are your bottom line, then listening is essential. Be open-minded and change things that aren’t working.
If you want to be a great leader, start by developing a healthy business mindset.
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Dolores Andrew, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dolores Andrew is an All-Star Accredited Lifestyle Leader in Holistic Life Coaching. Her personal coaching sessions and Corporate Training programmes are tailored to her client’s unique requirements. Dolores’ expertise supports people to break through their personal barriers and reach their full potential, whatever that means to them. She supports them to reassess their values, effectively navigate their emotions and live their lives aligned with their authentic selves.
