Leadership Traits in Small Business

To be a successful entrepreneur, one needs to possess the essential leadership skills. When an entrepreneur first starts out, they are generally the sole source of leadership for the company. As a business launches, the entrepreneur needs to have the ability to attract and retain the right team members. Practical leadership skills can help entrepreneurs to attract employees who will develop into great leaders themselves. There are many essential traits and skills that help entrepreneurs become successful leaders of their companies. Here are a few of the qualities I have noticed in those who are successful.

Work Ethic
Successful entrepreneurs have a strong work ethic. These individuals aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and put in the hours it takes to get their company up and running. They are often the first ones in the office in the morning and the last to leave in the evening. Successful leaders take pride in their work and strive to always perform to their fullest potential. These individuals are often passionate about the services they deliver or the products they produce. As a result, they tend not to view their daily efforts as merely a job that they do, but as a way of life.

Hiring & Retaining the Right People
Successful entrepreneurs look to hire those who are as good or better than themselves at what they do. Leaders who realize their limitations and seek to hire those who can complement their own skill set are far more successful than those who believe they can succeed alone. Successful leaders in business also tend to invest in their employees’ professional development, knowing that their investment now will mean greater dividends in the long run. Those dividends aren’t just higher quality work, but also company loyalty and appreciation.

Another aspect of leadership that successful entrepreneurs embrace is knowing the value of their team members. Good leaders offer praise and recognition for the efforts and successes of the other team members. The best leaders understand they can accomplish so much more through acknowledging the contributions of their team members. They keep their egos in check and seek to share the credit for company successes. These aspects of leadership lead to higher employee retention and satisfaction.

A Cohesive Team
Another essential trait of those who are successful entrepreneurs is the ability to delegate responsibility. That doesn’t just mean that these individuals are good at giving orders. Instead, they work to build a cohesive team by taking into consideration the feedback of their team members. They acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals on the team and distribute tasks according to those capabilities. They assign tasks to those who are best suited to the job rather than haphazardly delegating duties regardless of talent and ability.

While there are undoubtedly other traits of leadership that are necessary for entrepreneurs to succeed, I wanted to bring to light a few that are often overlooked. For those with the entrepreneurial spirit, the development of positive leadership skills is a must.

Article originally published on RichardSimonChicago.com