As a small business grows and the company culture evolves with the various and shifting industry landscapes, the leadership style of its owner tends to reflect those changes. Terry Powell, founder of AdviCoach, a national business coaching and advisory firm customized for small- to mid-size businesses, offers these three tips to help lead a company forward in a new era:
Lead by example. Employees often look to their supervisors for guidance and advice. So as long as the business owner follows the rules and guidelines that they themselves have set for their staff, employees are encouraged to follow suit. Leading by example can help shape your image as a role model within the business and the community, which can in turn lead to increased productivity and a healthier bottom line.
Be more honest. Sometimes, it’s easier to tell a white lie rather than being blunt; however, each occurrence reduces credibility. When leaders lose their credibility, they lose authority and respect among their peers. To prevent this, be completely transparent with employees and customers. For example, if you make a mistake with a customer or employee, don’t try to blame it on another factor or person. Owning fault will increase the trust that customers and employees have in the business and you as a person.
Become a savvy networker. It’s all about who you know, and the best leaders have the most connections. Set a goal to attend a certain number of networking events. The more people you meet, the more potential customers or business partners you meet in turn. This could be a real bonus for your business.