The owner of a small company has to do all the same things that a CEO for a mega-corporation does. You’re in charge of operations, marketing, technology, relationships, customer service—all of it. Fortunately, the key attributes of a business leader can be developed. It’s not a case that either you have it or you don’t; you can learn and grow. Here are five of the most important attributes identified by Adam Bryant, author of The Corner Office.
Passionate Curiosity
A great business leader is always curious, always asking questions, and always engaging with people. Why do things work the way they do? How can they be improved? You can develop that curiosity by learning to really listen to people and build relationships. Get to know their stories, and how they do things. Learn how they think, and get ideas from each other.
Battle-Hardened Confidence
The simple truth is that things don’t go smoothly all the time. We will encounter difficulties and problems at various times. So as a leader, you have to learn how to approach these problems, and develop a track record of overcoming them. Some people learn to embrace adversity by accepting the reality, and going out to find a solution.
Team Smarts
A great leader has to have exceptional team smarts. That means being able to see and understand all different aspects of the business. What’s working? What’s not working? Who’s doing a great job, and who’s struggling? Team smarts also means knowing how to motivate people to get the most out of them and find the right fit between individuals and the work you need to get done.
A Simple Mindset
Get to the point. That is a common trait for great business leaders, just keeping it simple and straightforward. Things don’t get done because of a 45-page PowerPoint presentation; they get done when things get boiled down to clear, actionable steps. Place value on being able to synthesize information, connect the dots, and ask the simple questions that get to the point as quickly as possible.
Fearlessness
Are you comfortable with being uncomfortable? When you’re starting something new, you must be comfortable with entrepreneurial uncertainty. You never know what’s ahead, only that you will have to face it, no matter what hurdles you have to jump. Everybody has doubts and gets worried—but you can get by that by accepting it and moving forward to solve problems.
We Are All in the People Business
Lessons from Bob Pittman