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How to Reach Your Full Potential as a Business Owner

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Business Owner|How to Reach Your Full Potential as a Business OwnerDo you want to look back on your career in 20-30 years time and feel like you did everything you could to be an amazing boss? If you’re serious about reaching your full potential as a business owner, be sure to put the advice laid out below into practice.

Pick up a number of crucial habits

World-class business owners don’t show up to the office every day and merely hope for the best. They work hard to pick up a number of habits, and they work even harder to exhibit them on a daily basis.

Here are a few habits you should pick up if you’re determined to reach your full potential in the world of business:

  • Ignore distractions
  • Focus on the tasks that have the highest payoff
  • Obsess about delivering value
  • Look after your health and wellbeing — you’ll find it easier to cope with those long days in the office if you do
  • Always be on the lookout for ways to fill the gaps in your market
  • Don’t sit behind your desk all day — leave the office, even if it is to meet with a business partner or to schmooze a client
  • Plan for the long-term
  • Never stop networking
  • Become a thrifty spender
  • Embrace new challenges, don’t cower away from them

Tend to your responsibilities

Going above and beyond to provide a high quality level of service is what will make you stand out from the crowd in your industry. Being a great business owner isn’t just about showcasing your abilities all the time, however. It’s also about tending to your responsibilities. They might not be glamorous, they might not make you any money, and they might not enhance your reputation in the eyes of your consumer base… but they’re a necessity!

No matter what industry you operate in, you will no doubt be inundated with a plethora of responsibilities each and every day. One of the biggest tasks that you face in this instance is keeping your employees safe from harm while they are at work. Nobody is going to want to work for you or even do business with you if you’re perceived to be a boss that doesn’t look after their workforce, which is why you must do right by your staff members in this sense.

Your employees face a whole host of dangers every time they step foot in your work environment, fire being one of the most hazardous. To ensure that you never shirk the responsibility of protecting your employees from the dangers of fire and smoke, it’s crucial that you perform a Fire Risk Assessment at least once a year.

Are you determined to scale the lofty heights of your industry? If you want to one day rub shoulders with the biggest names in your field, you’re going to have to go above and beyond each and every day to provide an optimized level of service. Put the above advice into practice, and you’ll be sure to reach your full potential as a business owner in no time.

How Effective Communication Skills Can Yield High Results in Leading Fields: Business and Politics

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Effective Communication Skills|HOW EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS CAN YIELD HIGH RESULTS IN LEADING FIELDS: BUSINESS AND POLITICSWe live in a highly competitive business environment, where most start-up businesses close down or file bankruptcy due to a lack of competency. It is easy to establish a business, but to make it succeed and run its operations smoothly requires ample hard work.

Respectively, every field requires a particular skill set to achieve the targets. Hence, in these challenging times, people need to evolve with time and polish their abilities to succeed. It will help if you have an amalgamation of expertise to conquer your goals, but communication skills seem to have taken the focal point in recent times.

Communication means exchanging information, and communication skills are the ability to impart knowledge in ways that are understandable for recipients. Not everyone possesses these qualities, but with training and exposure, one can learn them. Regardless of field one chooses to serve, communication skills are vital for survival. Experts comment that people possessing practical communication skills are more likely to achieve their goals. Communication plays a crucial role in enhancing business practices as it ensures the efficient and seamless running of an enterprise. Whereas in politics also, smooth transmission of messages is essential, and success heavily relies on it.

Advancement in technology has transformed modes of communication and enabled humans to use several mechanisms to transmit information. User-friendly devices have made it convenient to send eloquent messages across. There are different types of communication mediums: written, verbal, visual, and listening. Effective use of dialogue in the technological era means the use of appropriate words. Still, it also means that you are aware of when to use which mode of communication and with whom. A degree in communication equips you with all such knowledge and provides you with opportunities to demonstrate these skills. When communication degree holders step in the corporate field, persuasive communication skills give them an edge over others. The good part is a career in communications is not limited to any one sector, and you can quickly obtain a lucrative job in any industry. For example, currently, politics and business are the two leading fields. Both are experiencing growth and booming at a fast pace. Therefore, a communication degree provides you with multiple career opportunities in different areas.

Below we present a detailed analysis of how communication plays a pivotal role in both the leading fields.

Advantages of Effective Communication in Business Field

An organization runs on several departments and involves numerous aspects to run its operations smoothly. But communication plays a significant role in binding all the business processes together.

Benefits of effective communication in the business arena are far too many, and some of them are as follows:

1.Boosts Productivity

Effective communication is a quality of leaders, and team members of such leaders feel a sense of contentment while working under their leadership. As a head in any department, dynamic communication helps transmit the vision and motivates employees to give a hundred percent. Clear instructions mean that employees know what does the company wants from them, and they take deadlines and instructions seriously, which provides a boost to their productivity.

2. Loyalty

Effective communications build a sense of ownership in the staff, and they start identifying with the company. They develop loyalty towards the organization, and if someone badmouths it, they take it on themselves to defend it. Moreover, they never think of switching companies, even if they come across a better opportunity.

3. Customer Satisfaction

Business often runs on the rule that a customer is always right. Satisfying customers is the topmost priority of enterprises as they want to sustain them. Effective communication is vital for customer service as they have to deal with different temperaments, and satisfying all of them requires persuasive communication.

4. Team Bonding

A team that bonds well deliver better results. Communication assists in developing synergy, which increases team morale. Therefore, team members who step in to share responsibility and workload, yield profound results.

Advantages Of Communication In The Field Of Politics

The field of politics is dominating, as it concerns millions of people. Decisions of politicians have effects on the whole country. Better communication skills are of grave importance in this industry because it can impact a lot of significant decisions.

The following are the top benefits of effective communication in politics:

1. Convincing Power

Political people want to convince people that they possess all the qualities that the community wants to see in their leaders. They require the public to believe in whatever they say so that political people can get votes. Effective communication is a key to win confidence, and it works like magic in convincing others.

2. Enlightens People

Many times, people are not aware of the problems that a nation is facing. But politicians use effective communication to enlighten them about the ongoing issues. They raise awareness about injustice, social and cultural intolerances, and persuade people to make better choices.

3. Dynamic Campaigns

Campaigns are an indispensable part of politics. Effective communication is the base of a powerful drive that generate desirable results. The process of running campaigns require people from different departments, and effective communication is what makes the whole procedure seamless.

4. Ability To Bear Criticism

Criticism and scrutiny are inevitable in politics; however, it takes people with thick skin to bear it with utmost patience. Effective communication allows them to draw a line and create boundaries. It also helps to build excellent stamina to take criticism positively and then use it for their improvement. These criticisms help pinpoint weak areas and give politicians the chance to improve the situation and resolve the general public’s grievances.

Conclusion

Communication is vital for every industry. Similarly, the world’s leading fields, business, and politics cannot thrive without communication. Excellent communication skills guarantee better performance, which in turn yields good results. Hopefully, with the help of a detailed analysis above, you can easily opt for a communication degree and increase the chances of getting a high-paying job.

4 Ways To Be An Exceptional Manager To Your Team

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StrategyDriven Management and Leadership Article |Manage Your Team|4 Ways To Be An Exceptional Manager To Your TeamDo you want to be a better manager to your team? These tips will help you master management and be just that

1. Be A Good Communicator

It is crucial to be an effective communicator with each and every member of your staff, since all employees are unique this may mean that you need to refine your communication approach for each member. Granted, if you tend to bark orders at your staff they may quickly get into line, so to speak, but the atmosphere that you will create will be one that lacks motivation or good morale, in fact, you may even leave yourself open to a case for bullying or harassment in the workplace.

It is true that there are times when you may need to be firm, however, this can be done by using a clear and direct approach, on the other hand, other staff may respond more favorably if you use a friendly and casual approach. The more effective you are at communicating with your staff the better performance you will see.

Your communication should be consistent across the board and not lean towards favoritism. If you want to create a working atmosphere that is all about development and independence than you need to create a sense of stimulation rather than demand.

2. Employ An Open-Door Policy

When it comes to staff satisfaction, effective communication is key. Staff will tend to feel happier within their position when they feel that they have a boss they can turn to freely. The best managers are ones who encourage suggestions and are even open to constructive criticism; employees could easily have an idea that hadn’t even entered into your head. Employee engagement is something that should be desired not shunned. This provides a great basis to talk about current issues and possible solutions; the best results always come from the whole team working together. Managers that are at the top of their game tend to be the ones who genuinely care about their staff and recognize the value of worker feedback when it comes to the success and continues growth of there company.

3. Employees Need Feedback And Praise

Each staff member needs to know how they are doing. There are few things that could come even close to motivating employees than a sincere well done. When you need to give feedback that isn’t positive, it should still be given in a constructive way. This will all help your reputation.

For instance, if there is an area to an employee’s work that you want to be improved it would be a good idea to first remind them of areas where they are performing well. If you go in with only negative feedback there is every chance the employee will respond with a sense of resistance and your message will be lost.

A healthy team thrives on regular feedback, an aspect which is all too often overlooked. With a workload planner you can monitor task completion and give credit where it’s due, click here to find out more. A boss that is supportive feels compassion towards employees and is ready to provide the right support when required.

4. Be The Example Your Staff Need

The actions, speech, and attitude of the leader are ultimately what the rest of the team will imitate, hence the leader needs to set the right tone for the whole team. This tone isn’t complicated it’s about the simple things; being punctual, showing an understanding of what each staff member does, supporting team members, and the likes.

As well as this, a good leader will take responsibility when they make a mistake rather than try to lay the blame elsewhere. This will create an atmosphere of trust and respect meaning that your team will willingly go the extra mile for you.

What is the most powerful behavior in the leader’s toolbox?

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StrategyDriven Management and Leadership Article |Leadership Behavior|What is the most powerful behavior in the leader’s toolbox?Why is it that some people who appear ready, willing and apparently able for promotion into positions of leadership either fail outright, woefully underperform, or at the very least never come close to reaching full potential? I’ve seen individuals from diverse industries and cultures who are extremely proficient as individual contributors, for example, get promoted to lead small teams and, despite great promise, simply fail to deliver. It’s much more common than one would imagine. Why is this the case?

In my experience, study and research of the topic over the past thirty-five years, one common theme emerges – many of these leaders do not lead with care and compassion. This is not to say that these leaders as individuals are uncaring. However, their focus, attention and energy are weighted too heavily in other areas of the business and not in developing relationships with their employees. For example, I’ve seen leaders struggle because they spend inordinate amounts of time focusing on results rather than their vitally important role in achieving those results.

The goal for every organization is, of course, mission accomplishment. While there are many roads to get there, leaders who have good working relationships with their employees get there with less drama, staff turnover, lower cost in labor and material, among other metrics, compared with leaders who lack these relationships. [1] Higher trust translates into higher performing team. In other words, the fastest, most efficient path to mission accomplishment is through trust.

How does a leader earn trust? Leaders, researchers and thought leaders generally agree that there are three essential behaviors. The first is technical competence. People are more likely to trust a leader whom they believe has the technical know-how and experience to make good decisions. The second is consistency. A leader must do what they say they will do, follow through on commitments and keep their promises. The last behavior is care and compassion. The leader needs to build relationships with their team members and show that they care for their well-being. Competency, consistency and caring – all three are important behaviors in earning trust. However, of the three, showing care and compassion is the most powerful and fastest way to earn trust.

In fact, leading with care and compassion is extremely powerful. I’ve seen people successfully lead teams where the leader was not technically proficient in the area of work. For example, I’ve seen Navy non-commissioned officers whose expertise was aircraft maintenance successfully lead medical teams. While these leaders were certainly not rendering care to patients – they weren’t proficient in that area – they were rendering care to the relationships they had with their Sailors. They understood the importance of building those relationships and focused their time and attention accordingly. These leaders excelled at listening to their Sailor’s concerns, showing empathy and ensuring that every single Sailor was able to feel engaged, fulfilled, supported, and recognized. In the end, they were leaders who people not only wanted to follow, but loved to follow.

My choice of the word ‘love’ is a deliberate one, and an accurate one. Fascinating research has recently shown that when a team member feels care and compassion from their leader, profound changes occur at the neurotransmitter level within the team member’s body. In fact, their level of oxytocin increases significantly. Oxytocin is a molecule also known as the “love hormone” – its release from the brain is triggered by social bonding. Oxytocin levels increase when two people hug, for example. Researchers have shown that when leaders lead with care and compassion through positive social interactions, oxytocin levels increase among team members, along with engagement, joy, and overall performance.[2] When people say they love working for their leader, they literally do love working for their leader.

When followers trust their leader, the path to mission accomplishment is much easier to traverse. The most powerful behavior in the leader’s toolbox to earn that trust is care and compassion. Show your people that you care for their well-being and they’ll consistently deliver.

[1] Michael Burchell and Jennifer Robin, The Great Workplace, (San Francisco, CA, Jossey-Bass, 2011)
[2] Paul Zak, Trust Factor, (New York: American Management Association, 2017)

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Mark BroukerMark E. Brouker, Captain, United States Navy (retired), Pharm.D., MBA, FACHE, BCPS, is founder of Brouker Leadership Solutions, and author of the forthcoming book Lessons From The Navy: How To Earn Trust, Lead Teams, And Achieve Organizational Excellence. For more information visit http://www.broukerleadershipsolutions.com/.

Six ways to be a better business leader

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No matter what industry you work in, becoming a better leader in your area will be the career goal, many people aspire to fulfill. Some skills that many of the best figureheads have can be learned, or just come naturally to them. Either way, you can use them as examples of how you can improve your own performance.

Some of these top leadership skills can be very subtle yet hugely effective – but performing them in just the wrong way can have a negative effect on how people see you in the workplace. However, analyzing some of these behaviors (a few of which are listed here) will help you on your way to becoming the business leader you want to become.

Communicate effectively

The most successful business leaders will most likely be master communicators. The key to becoming a better leader will realize how to put your ideas across effectively – and persuade and inspire others. It is also essential to be able to listen keep an open mind when it comes to receiving feedback, for instance, so you can gain valuable insights.

Keep learning

Make sure your own knowledge does not become old and outdated, as this can affect both your professional development and your brand. Business is evolving at an astonishing rate, so you need to know about the latest techniques and trends.

That includes finding out more about the economy, your industry, and competitors, plus your own team. You should also work on the skills related to your role’s responsibilities and may consider enrolling in further education or taking a management course.

Take responsibility

A characteristic you should not have is to blame others when something bad happens. Accepting your role in your team’s actions – and the consequences – will help you get respect and trust. This means you will create a culture where you learn from mistakes and improve.

You can also take responsibility by ensuring errors don’t occur: you could check your company’s IT system is secure by working with brands such as INFINIT Consulting, Inc. This will help identify potential issues before they arise by using a managed IT service.

Be positive

Transformational leaders will have an optimistic attitude that is inspirational for followers: otherwise, team members may become uninspired if a leader seems apathetic or discouraged. You should also try to stay positive even when things look bad. That does not mean you should see things using rose-tinted glasses, but instead maintain that feeling of optimism even with challenges ahead.

Encourage creativity

Teams should be encouraged to use their creativity. As an effective leader, offer new challenges with the support they need to achieve these objectives. These goals should be within the abilities of your team – so they can stretch their limits but are not discouraged by barriers to success.

Be a role model

You should show the qualities that you want to encourage within your team. If you do, then these group members will admire you and will work on mirroring such behaviors themselves. Using idealized influence is also one of the main components of transformational leadership.