Effective Leadership and Teamwork

When you are at your countertop business, do you get frustrated because things don’t seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? Maybe you see people milling around, but nothing getting accomplished. In the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals as as business owner or manager remain just that – goals? Then maybe it’s time to do something about it.

Two of the best ways to control your business is through effective leadership and teamwork. Most people are content to stand around listening to orders, and it isn’t unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. When you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail – leadership must be asserted, but as a matter of hierarchy and stability in teamwork.

Some people believe that great leaders are just born that way. It may be true that some people are born with a natural talent for leadership, but without practice, drive, enthusiasm and experience, there can be no true development. Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills, and this takes a commitment to constantly improve your business.

To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal or an objective. However, a leader contributes to the organization and the cohesion of the group through teamwork. Contrary to what most people who are not leaders believe, leadership is not about power. Nor is it about harassing people or intimidating them. It is about encouraging them towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization.

People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember the bumper sticker that says, “Don’t follow me, I’m lost too?” The same holds true for leadership. If you don’t know where you’re headed, chances are that people won’t follow you. You must know the vision of your organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the key staff are, who to talk to, your business’s goals and objectives and how the organization works is the only way to show others that you know what you’re doing.

Being a leader is about who you are, what you know and what you do. You are a reflection of what your subordinates must be. Studies have shown that one of the hallmarks of good leadership is the trust and confidence of your employees and subordinates. If they trust you, they will go through hell and high water for you and for the company.

Trust and confidence is built on good relationships and high ethics. The way you deal with your people and the relationships you build with them will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities. Once you have their trust and confidence, it is much easier to communicate the goals and objectives you wish to undertake, and have that endeavor be a successful one.

Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this, you cannot be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people. In addition, you cannot be a good leader unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision and actively seek out a solution. It is this judgment that your staff will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of the business.

Leaders are not always do-it-all heroes. Effective leaders do not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone. You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your staff has. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.

Being a leader takes a great deal of work and time. It is not skill most people learn overnight. It takes practice, the application of experience and wisdom and good business sense. In addition, leadership is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.

 

Article Source: Articleology.com