Startups are a different kettle of fish to businesses that are already sustainable and fruitful. While the latter can afford to have a management team ticking the right boxes, the former almost certainly can’t – and it’s an issue that all startup owners need to consider.
Brand new businesses need inspirational leadership to see them through the uncertain and tricky period they have to traverse – not a boss or manager that is only there to oversee things.
So, the big question is: are you a leader, or are you just a manager? If it’s the latter, you will need to learn how to become an inspiring leader if you want success for your startup – and here are some tips to help you do just that.
Confident
When the chips are down – which, inevitably, they will be many times in your first couple of years in business – your employees will be looking at you. And if you display worries or concern, they will pick up on your mood, and it will impact on everything they do. Being positive about your product or service will help you inspire your team and drive them on, so have a think about your personality, and how you could become more confident. Perhaps you could look at MSc Business and Management online courses to prove your worth to yourself. You could even try taking acting classes, or a public speaking course to ensure you come across well.
Committed
Inspirational leaders show full commitment to the task at hand. Working in a startup environment can be an exhausting process for everyone involved, and with such a lot of work involved, late nights and early mornings will be a regular occurrence. If you can’t commit to these long hours or be the first person in and last person out of the office, how can you expect the same commitment from your team?
Visionary
No team can survive without concrete goals to drive them on. And you can’t set goals if you don’t have a vision of what your success should look like. Every inspirational leader on the planet has a vision – it’s what separates them from the rest. Words, actions, and beliefs can all contribute towards defining a perfect vision for your startup. Clarity is critical, of course, and it’s vital that, as a leader, you have a thorough knowledge of what you are trying to do – and a clear way of communicating it to your employees.
Trustworthy
Finally, inspirational leaders who want to be the best always have the full trust of their employees. This isn’t a skill you can learn, however – it’s something you have to prove. If you don’t prioritize honesty to your staff and customers, both are likely to jump ship and move on somewhere else, which will be catastrophic to your startup on both accounts. Be aware that your team will expect truth, integrity, and delivery of promises, so don’t make any that you know you cannot possibly keep.
Do you think you are an inspirational leader? Let us know how you would advise new startup owners on how to become one themselves.
