Do you really have to be a great leader to grow to be a great entrepreneur?
The issue of leadership and what it actually means for entrepreneurs and their startups is a hot topic for debate. Some advocate that entrepreneurs should grow to be leaders first. They may argue that it’s higher to work in jobs where you can gain priceless leadership skills and then move into entrepreneurship. Others say it’s higher to focus on the greater picture. Leadership lessons will come with time, but your first priority should be to focus on results.
Who is right and who is mistaken? Theoretically, none of them are bad. However, I personally consider that the key is to grow to be a great leader before pursuing entrepreneurship. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned from previous leadership positions that have allowed me to gain respect and trust as a CEO, as a former lawyer, and as a small business owner.
Must read: 5 leadership qualities without which no entrepreneur can succeed
Great leaders know how to be vulnerable
We live in a world where the stereotype is that the so-called “best” leaders focus on the reward – and that is it. Success in business normally means focusing on dollar signs and being “in it to win it.” So why should great leaders eschew such behavior in favor of being a truncated version of themselves?
The conversation about vulnerabilities is similar to that about failures. Both are considered signs of weakness. In fact, (*3*)being vulnerable it’s a sign that you are human. Think about leaders you know who don’t take themselves too seriously and are honest about making mistakes. You probably appreciate and/or admire them for being so open and honest. These leaders have earned your trust through their sensitivity. This is not a sign of weakness at all. This is a sign that great leaders understand the learning process and know that development is crucial to becoming great entrepreneurs.
Related: Here are the personality traits of extraordinary leaders
Great leaders have a team mentality
This goes beyond the phrase “there is no ‘I’ in the team.” Having a team mentality means pondering about your team, not yourself. Great leaders focus primarily on how they may also help their team members learn and grow, contribute to their on a regular basis success, and encourage them to think outside the box.
Over time, this also helps leaders create a culture of innovation in the workplace. This can then be transferred to entrepreneurial roles because so much time has already been invested on your team.
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Great leaders think about the business holistically
A great entrepreneur knows his business goals. But to achieve this, they need to work out the details. This is where big picture pondering comes in.
Thinking about your corporation holistically means going beyond looking at profits and losses and return on investment. Great leaders must take into account all the surrounding details. These include facets similar to worker engagement, customer happiness and shareholder success. It’s a bit like putting together a puzzle. All these elements allow you to formulate a strategy and speed up its execution.
Great leaders who think holistically will likely recognize areas that they can’t improve on their very own. They will be able to discover individual leaders in these areas who are material experts and have the skills vital to drive each department forward.
In other words, great entrepreneurs recognize areas where talent can be recruited and hire the right people to help them lead their company to success – all to the advantage of their firms’ overall image.