What do you look at as being your assets leading a company?

Some business owners are natural-born leaders, having those impeccable qualities that it takes to oversee others.

Meantime, some business owners acquire those traits over years of working for others, seeing what works and what does not work in running a company.

No matter how you came about being a leader, passing those abilities on to others over the years is one of the best contributions you can make as a business owner.

With that being the case, how are you leading your employees?

How to Be a Great Leader

In your efforts to be the best leader you can be in running a business, remember these tips to help others along the way:

• Be an example – First and foremost, leading by example is crucial if you want to have a strong business model. When your employees see how it is done, they’re more likely to give you their best. On the flip side, being a yeller and a screamer does you or your employees absolutely no good. Yes, there are times when you will become frustrated in the workplace, but cooler heads should always prevail. If you have a problem with one or more employees, settle those issues professionally and in a private;
• Be calm – As mentioned a moment ago, being calm under fire is a great characteristic to have as a business leader. When times get tough (and you know they certainly do), work to find solutions. Part of those solutions may come from your days ascending to a leadership role. Whether you took college courses in business management and leadership areas or got first-hand experience in jobs over the years, the ability to design how you want to lead is critical;
• Be confident – There will be times when your business undergoes some transformations and/or some rough spots. Employees will look to you as the calming force to get them and your brand through it all. Showing a side of confidence (not cockiness or arrogance) is crucial during those times. As you guide your business through some difficult stretches or even unchartered waters, many of your employees will see you as a business owner they will want to be tied to for years to come. In doing so, you accrue loyalty from many of those under you, assuring you that you have a formidable team to go to battle with each and every day;
• Be open – Do you currently have an open-door policy for employees wanting to vent when necessary? If not, you should consider doing just that. While it is not the job of your employees to complain about this and that in the workplace, they will on occasion want to discuss matters with you, matters that could be impacting their ability to fully get the job done. It could be an issue with a customer or customers, perhaps a matter with another co-worker, or how the overall business model is or is not working. When employees feel relaxed and confident in talking with you, it is a win-win for them and of course for you;
• Be a future thinker – Finally, while your business is living in the present times, you have to think about where you want your brand to be five years down the road, three years down the road, even a year from now. Having an eye on where things are trending in your industry and how those trends will impact your brand are both important. That thinking towards the future is also important for your employees. If they see you talking gloom and doom about your business and/or your industry, do you really expect lots of them want to stick around? When you talk about growing your business, seizing the opportunities that are out there, you paint a much more positive vision for all.

Being a leader can certainly be stressful at times, but would you want it any other way?

There are many people who end up fearing leadership; many others take the bull by the horns and run with it.

When all is said and done, which one are you?

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.