One of your team members needs a few days off to have a procedure done at The Bunion Cure. While your company is slammed with deadlines, you know your team member’s health is more important, so it’s easy for you to agree. This is already a sign that you’re a good leader, but you always wonder how you can be better. That’s why we’re offering 6 tips to become a better business leader.
Let’s get into it!
Connect With Your Team
One of the most important aspects of being an effective business leader is building a positive relationship with your team. This means you need to connect with them on both a professional and personal level. In turn, this invites them a safe space to talk with you about their ideas or their troubles. It creates an opportunity where they willingly confide in you which can help navigate business by establishing what’s working and what’s not.
Adopt an Open Mind
An open mind is crucial when it comes to business leadership. You have to put aside your ego and the idea that you know better than your team. Instead, go into each meeting or conversation with team members with a willingness to learn and listen without inputting any immediate judgment or reaction. Having an open mind opens the door for creativity to prosper.
Be Vulnerable
Vulnerability is a scary word in the world of business. However, it’s got a bad reputation. As a business leader, you want to be driven by opportunity and potential. This means that you might do things that are scary or feel threatening. While it seems impractical to adopt this mindset, it’s the only thing that will allow your team to grow. It’s taking a leap into the world of infinite possibilities. This doesn’t mean that you’re not smart about the choices you make, it means that you’re giving some opportunities a chance that you otherwise wouldn’t.
Encourage Growth
Every business leader wants their business and team to grow. A good business leader knows that business growth isn’t always the main objective. As an effective business leader, you want to encourage individual growth from your employees as well – even if this means they’ll no longer be a part of your company. You’ll want to take the people-centered approach when it comes to leadership, and it will pay off in ways you can’t even imagine.
Practice Empathy & Compassion
It’s the responsibility of a business leader to be a person that team members can turn to. In order to inspire your employees, you must practice empathy and compassion. Your team members are people, with a whole life outside of work. You want to make sure that you understand them on a deep level. This will create a powerful connection and relationship with you and your team.
Stay Flexible
Flexibility in life is important. As a business leader, you want to be flexible when it comes to your team. You’ll want to sincerely listen to the needs and wishes of your team members – even if it’s not something you don’t quite agree with. You have an openness and willingness to believe they know what’s best for them. Flexibility provides a mutual benefit “in meeting both performance and work-life needs.”