If two heads are better than one, think of how incredible four or five heads would be. As a successful entrepreneur you are no doubt terrific at what you do but do you find you are doing too much? Your business has grown, and along with that growth, you have seen your responsibilities, expectations and staff grow. But I’m guessing that you have seen your time shrink, along with your time off and even your quality of life. It’s time to start delegating and creating some leaders—trust me, you will be glad you did.
So how do you choose these potential leaders? I’ve listed a few traits here, but this subject will be dealt with in-depth at our Millionaire Team Summit this July in Toronto.
Traits to look for in prospective leaders
- Decisive – When you consider how many decisions we make in a single day, you can comprehend the importance of selecting a leader that is capable of making unilateral decisions on behalf of the team without being consumed by the fear of making a mistake. Top leaders acknowledge mistakes, learn from them and make appropriate adjustments, all the while remaining confident in their decision-making abilities.
- Visionary – Top leaders have learned from past experiences, live in the moment but have a strong vision of the future. They know what they expect and want for themselves, their team and the organization in six months, one year and five years down the road. They have definite goals and expectations and the ability to ignite the rest of the team to follow them. Great team leaders see the future as bigger, better, brighter and more profitable.
- Persuasive – Respected team leaders know that trying to strong-arm a team member into doing things differently is a waste of everyone’s time. The most effective leaders use the power of persuasion to gently coerce others to make necessary changes and see things their way. This is an extremely valuable skill when used appropriately and goes a long way toward creating a homogenous team that’s on the same page.
- Self-Aware – successful team leaders have a strong sense of who they are and believe in professional development to keep ahead of the rest. Whether it is through courses, workshops or a personal coach, they have a natural thirst for knowledge and self-improvement. Their enthusiasm for personal growth is a catalyst for the rest of the team to keep up to date and seek out their own possibilities for betterment. A great team leader supports and recognizes team members for the advancements in their skills and professional growth.
- Caring – The most effective team leaders are people who personify genuine care and concern for their family, friends, co-workers and their community. It’s also known as Emotional Intelligence or EQ and there is no replacement for it; it’s impossible to fake and absolutely essential if you expect to lead people—no one will follow someone that doesn’t care for long. Supporting charities, organizing fundraisers or being a volunteer is a key identifier of caring individuals.
Hiring leaders is no easy feat—there are many complexities to consider and making a mistake will not only cost you time but staff morale and high turnover rates, not to mention money.
Ken Goodfellow is a leading real estate coach in North America. This year, he is excited to present the Millionaire Team Summit at the Trump Towers in Toronto, July 28 – 30 for three days of intensive interaction, discussions and a bit of fun. For more information, visit www.Millionaireteamsummit.com.
