Leadership is a Decision

A person is called a leader based on the level of his or her effectiveness in the areas that they are supposed to be effective. Every person has the potential to be a leader; a leader is made not born. If you walk into nursery in a hospital I doubt that you will find tags on some of the cribs that say “this is a future leader.”

Leadership in the world of small business begins the moment that a business is started. You have to  work on developing your leadership skills so that you can, first of all, be a leader in your own eyes and then spread that to your customers, prospects, family and community.

I have compiled a list of qualities that small business owners need to succeed. Take a few minutes to review them. Are there any areas that need improvement?

Resilience                                                               Transparency

Open-minded                                                          Accountable

Self-confident                                                          Positive

Good Listening skills                                                 Passion and commitment

Decision making skills                                               Initiative for action

Influence                                                                 Inspires others

Vision & Purpose                                                      Humility

Motivation                                                               Courage

Learning Agility                                                        Communications skills

Respect                                                                   Innovation

First and most important, do you see yourself as having all 20 leadership qualities? If you don’t see yourself as a leader, it’s hard to convince others to follow you. Circle the areas that you need to work on.

Starting today, carry yourself as if you are in possession of all these characteristics and make them a reality by your actions.

“Leadership is not just something you do; it’s something you are. And that’s one reason that good leaders have stong magnetism. People are attracted to who they are.”  (Minutes in a Leaders Day by John Maxwell)