Great entrepreneurs have a lot in common that makes them successful over others. They have tremendous people skills, motivation and perseverance to keep going. They also hold a many number of traits, that help to gain respect from others and make them the leaders they have to be in order to be a success.
Caring Counts
When your employees know that you care about what they think and about them, they will feel more valued. In turn, they will pay that back to you in the form of being a dedicated employee and giving you respect. What more could an entrepreneur ask for, right? Now it’s just a matter of getting those caring attributes you need in order to lead.
Here are the 5 attributes of the world’s greatest business leaders:
1. Be of the people. People usually identify with leaders from within. This is because they believe there is a “get me” feeling. When you lead being part of the crowd, you will be much more embraced. The ones who are “above the crowd” are seen as elitist, and it is difficult to connect with those people, as well as to like them.
2. Be humble. Great leaders know that no one, including themselves, is better or worse. Everyone brings their own value, and collectively there is power in that. These great leaders position themselves so that if they leave the group, the group stays just as strong. Great leaders develop strength in the crowd and free everyone from dependency on any one.
3. Be simple. To be a great leader, avoid communicating over people’s heads. Instead, communicate on the same level as everyone else. This, in part, will make you one “of the people.” Good communication with your employees can be a key component in helping to grow your business. Besides, when you talk to people, rather than down to them, you show respect, and in turn, that will get you respect.
4. Block and tackle. Great leaders defend, protect and help their team. They know their most important job is to make everyone else’s job easier. And they gladly do the “dirtiest of the dirty work,” when it supports the achievement of team goals. When you show you are willing to get in there and get dirty, you are demonstrating to them that you are humble, and you are one of them.
5. Believe in them. Forget trying to get the people to believe in you. Instead, get them to believe in themselves. Let them know you believe they can do their job, they can help the company succeed, and that they will do what is right. That’s what great leaders do, and when you can do that, they will automatically believe in you.
Mutual Stance
Often times, entrepreneurs don’t realize that they will get what they give, when it comes to their employees. You have no doubt heard the expression to get respect you have to give it, and it works like magic in the business world. Treat your employees how you want to be treated, especially when it comes to being a part of their group, respecting who they are, and believing in them. When you do this, you will make your job, and theirs, a whole lot easier.
Focus on showing your employees that you care, and you will see the rewards come back to you. People who know that their leaders care want to see them succeed. They will do everything they can to give them the support, and productivity, that is needed. It’s really a win-win situation for all. What helps make a great business leader, in turn, helps to make great employees, and the cycle continues!
By Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
