Woman Business Owners from around the country join U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet for this special Veteran's Day Google Hangout-On-Air.
We've read stats showing that Blacks have a buying power of $1.2 Trillion dollars and that Black women are starting businesses at a faster rate than any other group, but is this enough to change the economic inequalities that plague Black neighborhoods?
It's not always a simple matter when trying to figure out what kind of leader those around you are looking for. Having an awareness as to what makes a good leader, and being able to have the determination to follow through on everything in the proper manner. You need to appreciate the actions and the methods required, but also the reasons behind them.
A good way to better your leadership skills is to be confident in your decision-making. Because you are the designated leader, logs of decisions will be up to you. If your subordinates offer a wide range of potential solutions to an issue, you must select the one that offers the most benefits to the largest group.
Tenacity is a very important characteristic of successful leaders. Your team will follow your example in tough situations. Whatever obstacles may be in your way, keep your focus on the goal. Seeing how persistent you are is going to make the group more willing to work on the problems.
Great leaders know they do not have a lot to learn. Listen to others' suggestions and see if they may have a better idea than you do. They can suggest things to you about how your idea can be improved, executed better, or what the problems in the plan are.
Use incentives to encourage good work. While you may be paying them a decent salary, incentives can increase morale and productivity. When a worker impresses you, show that you noticed with a reward. True leaders don't pinch pennies with things like this.
Own your words. A leader has to be accountable. You are an important piece of the business, and anything you do or say will reflect on it. Should you find yourself having spoken out of turn or acting negatively, you must set things right. It is not up to others to solve these issues.
A great quality for leading effectively is integrity. Integrity means being honest about everything all the time. No one will trust you when you have no integrity. When you make integrity an integral part of how you lead, others will respect that and be more willing to follow.
Listen to your team members. Make yourself available for communication with all of your employees because you never know where a great idea may come from. Do not fear criticism, as this will keep you from learning from your team. If you open the lines of communication, good things will come of it.
Try not to make errors that cause you to regress. When you do make mistakes, let them propel you by what you learn from them. You can get great results if you apply the tips you just read. A great leader has confidence in his or her abilities, and can offer plenty of help to the team.
There are a lot of people who would love to be known as great leaders. This skill comes a lot more naturally to some rather than all. Being a good leader will require many skills, and you must figure out your own style of leadership. Keep reading for more information about being a better leader.
Work to communicate the vision of the team among the workers. Sometimes, they have difficulty communicating among themselves. Use your values to drive your team's experience. You need to articulate the broad vision while also demonstrating the key roles each member can play. This helps provide direction and also helps you build relationships.
Don't think your staff is able to know what you're thinking. Use precision in your communications and let people ask follow-up questions about assignments. This will let people know that it is okay to approach for help if they don't understand everything.
A great leader inspires creativity. Creative thinking prompts folks to take chances that lead to amazing outcomes. Always be curious and explore new possibilities. Even if an idea doesn't seem like a good fit at the present time, you should still believe in it's potential. You should assist others in blending their ideas with the current needs of the company.
Honesty is important for a leader. Effective leaders are trustworthy. As your leadership skills improve, you should always try to set an example by being trustworthy and honest. If people believe you can be trusted, their respect for your leadership will only grow.
If you're leading other people you should take the time to let them know what they mean to you. It doesn't take but a moment to leave a little note to show a worker you appreciate them. This acknowledgement can better their day, and it will not cost you anything.
Don't do anything shady or devious. It is important to keep your promises if you want to be trusted as a leader. If your advertising claims you provide top quality service in your category, ensure that your employees know what must be done to provide that service.
As an effective leader, it is necessary to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Too much confidence is only going to set you up for failure as a leader. Pay attention to areas where you can enhance your leadership skills.
This article shows you the many different qualities that comprise being a solid leader. Use what you learned to be an effective leader. By keeping the above information close at hand, you are sure to see how easily leadership skills can develop.
It is hard to find keys to improving your leadership, because leading is a position of respect that has you managing others in a variety of ways. In order to be a truly invaluable leader, you have to master many skills. Every person is different, and you must find the skills you need for improvement.
Keep it simple, leader! Focus on the really important things. When you know what the big picture is, you can focus on the details. Try to simplify your work. Set aside time for meditating and planning.
Do not assume that your team are mind-readers. Use precision in your communications and let people ask follow-up questions about assignments. If they don't understand the instructions you give, they don't need to hesitate about coming to you for help.
Keep your morals in mind. Never make a decision you're not comfortable with. If you have an inkling that you will not be happy with the decision you are about to make, stop there. Some people might have different morals from yours, but you must follow your own conscience.
Be clear with possible issues whenever you can. Hiding problems in a business used to be the norm; now, the best leaders are more open. You may be wondering why. Communication is more important in today's world. The story can get out regardless of whether you wish it would or not. You need to be in control of the message you communicate instead of simply reacting to it. Being a true leader means you are on top of that message.
When you deal with customers, you must be ethical. Ethics are important when you're a business leader. If customers feel you keep their interests in mind, they are far more likely to remain loyal to you. By having a code of ethics within your company, your business will be successful.
You can compete with other businesses and still uphold your work ethic. If you see the competition doing things that you're not comfortable with, figure out an alternative so you can stay competitive. You don't have to do what they are doing just to stay in the game. If you can come up with a new way to compete, you'll feel a lot better with your decision.
Make your goals worthy but also realistic. Setting impossible goals just frustrates your team. Giving your team unreachable goals does not make you a good leader.
Convey messages with confidence. Be accountable for your actions and words as a leader. You are acting as the heart of your company; everything you do will reflect on the business. If things have gone awry because of your actions, then you need to make good immediately. There is nobody to fix the issues but you.
You must help others while upholding what is right and true. Applying the information from this article will be crucial on your journey. Always stay humble and willing to learn.