Running any type of business is difficult. There are more things to think about and take care of then there are dates on a calendar. Effective leadership is one of the necessary ingredients in making a business run more efficiently and smoothly.
What defines a good leader, one that others will want to follow? Leading people is the opposite of controlling them. The business team needs leadership in order to develop, grow and perform better as a whole.
If the business leader leads with a heavy hand trying to control everything the team will become crippled and will not achieve what the business owner has intended for them to. The team will become dependent and not independent.
Teams learn by example. The leader is one of the most watched persons in the business. Their behavior influences everyone else’s. When the leader sets the right example the chances are greatly increased that the business team will follow the lead in the right direction.
When the leader sets the wrong example their actions speak louder than words. What the leader does more than what they say shows the team what kind of leader they actually are. The team will not rise to the top, but will settle to the level of the leader.
If you are the leader think about how you might perform, or act in these situations to give yourself a clearer picture of what you might look like to your team.
1. Are you on time to work everyday?
2. Do you communicate openly with your team members?
3. Do you listen attentively to them and try to understand their viewpoints?
4. Do you stay calm in stressful situations?
5.Do you follow through with what you say you are going to do?
6. Do you own up to mistakes when you make them?
7 Do you apologize when you are wrong?
8. Do you thank your team for all that they do each day?
9. Are you enjoyable to be around and willing to help out your teammates when needed?
10. Do you have your teammates back? Do they know that you are there for them?
Asking yourself these types of questions will determine your standard level of leadership, is it high or low? The example leaders set in all areas of their position effect what their team will do in the same areas of their positions.
Lastly, Leaders must lead with integrity. Leaders need to be the person that they want their team mates to be. Being truthful, honest, trustworthy are all attributes that we want the people we work with to have. Leaders need to keep the standard high and continue to always stretch to reach it.
“The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves”
~ Ray Kroc
08/25/14
Practical Practice Management A Division of Top Practices 
Great job on this post, Tina! The example set by a leader does indeed set the tone for all others in the organization. This can’t be overstated! Have a wonderful day and weekend!
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thank you Trevor, you have a wonderful weekend also!
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good list Tina. I would add: (1) Are you decisive when you need to be, (2) Can you say No when appropriate? (3) Do you make difficult decisions to rid the organization of under performers. (4) Do you offer ongoing performance feedback?
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These are great points David…I think we need to hear a post from you about this 🙂
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I spoke with a friend the other day who has just resigned as a midwife in the NHS. She commented that a few years ago her shift leader would discuss workload at the beginning of the shift and allocate duties to those most suited – offering an ear to alternatives plus the opportunity to ask for help if needed. She thanked them at the end of their shift EVERY day! Now, it is like bootcamp – midwives are told to do this or that and advised not to look for support as the shortness of staff means there is none – ‘you’re on your own’ culture prevails. At the end of the shift colleagues simply drift out of the building unnoticed. It took 2 weeks for someone to even acknowledge her resignation. Where does one start with a behemoth like the NHS (1.7m employees!) with so many layers of heirarchy?
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Wow, that is some story and a sad one at that Stu. Working in an environment like that would be not only hard but toxic. What a wonderful shift leader though, she knew what it took to bring the troops together and a great example of leadership was shown by her. Not sure where you would start with an organization like that except to just start with yourself, do what you can do to make it better place each day for you and those you come in contact with. Who knows what changes that could bring. Thanks for sharing this.
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