From humility to the ability to stay focused anytime, 12 start-up founders share the traits they consider hallmarks of great leadership.
We asked 12 successful founders from the Young
Entrepreneur Council which traits they believe--above all others--define great
start-up leaders. After all, passion is one thing--but what actually makes a
good leader great? Their best answers are below.
1. Flexibility
"No plan survives contact with the enemy." This
variation on German Field Marshall Helmuth von Moltke's original quote could
not be more true. Leaders of start-ups need to be flexible and be able to alter
(or even throw out) plans as their business rolls forward. And they need to be
able to do it without getting angry, stressed, or insulted. Emotions like that
from a leader crush company morale. --Matt Peters, Pandemic Labs
2. Humility
Whenever the company fails, it should also be the leader's
fault. Whenever the company succeeds, it should also be the employees' fault.
Your employees are not a vehicle to fund your ego. If you run a company, your
employees are now your customers--and your top priority should be to serve
their needs, not your own. --Liam Martin, Staff.com
3. Focus
As a leader it's easy to get off track with your
investment, your time, and your energy. You want to go to every event, every
speech, and every dinner. Focus is what really matters. You need to put time
and energy into activities that are the most effective for your business and
its success. Have a litmus test for what those are and only accept invites and
spend time on what passes that test. --Susan Strayer LaMotte, exaqueo
4. Decisiveness
The most successful start-up leaders recognize they do
not have time to get all of the facts for the dozens of decisions they make
each day. Instead, they just need to gather enough information to make sound
decisions so the company can move forward. Some of those decisions will be
wrong, but it is better to learn from those mistakes and try again than to be
immobilized by indecisiveness. --Doug Bend, Bend Law Group
5. Stick-to-it-ness
Starting a new company of any kind isn't easy. If you
look at any entrepreneur, you'll see a willingness to work through the hard
times, but among the greats, it goes beyond that. Seriously impressive
entrepreneurs are willing to put in the sweat, even if others can't grasp the
vision. They work through the different bits of a knot, rather than trying to
rush through and cut it apart. --Thursday Bram, Hyper Modern Consulting
6. Vision
Vision is the most important trait of a start-up leader.
The ultimate test, though, is instilling the dream: encouraging the people
around you to believe in your vision and quest. A consistent message and
constantly renewed energy will help others to live your passion. --Russell
Kommer, ExcelHelp.com
7. Paranoid Confidence
Every start-up leader is different, so no single
characteristic is the defining trait for everyone. But, that said, I believe
the best entrepreneurs develop a healthy balance of paranoia and confidence.
They're vigilant and realistic while, at the same time, never lacking the the
gumption to believe their vision is right.
--Derek Flanzraich, Greatist
8. Ownership
Great leaders, in any industry, will not let
circumstances control their pursuit for making an impact. These leaders see
themselves as arbiters of their success and regard external pressures as within
their control. When something sets them back, great leaders persevere and take
ownership of that circumstance.
--John Harthorne, MassChallenge
9. Positivity
A positive mindset defines a great leader. If you don't
buy into a bulletproof mindset of positivity, you won't make it as an
entrepreneur. Business is constantly filled with ups and downs; if the captain
of the ship is always positive, he will influence others to feel the same.
--Aaron Pitman, API Domain Investments
10. Salesmanship
The ability to network and sell. Great start-up leaders
are always selling. They are selling their employees to work for them, selling
investors to invest in them, selling partners to partner with them, selling
customers to buy their product. The greatest leaders all know how to sell and
network. Tip: Read "How to Win Friends and Influence People."
--Peter Nguyen, Literati Institute
11. Self-Awareness
The best leaders have an acute sense of self-awareness;
they know their strengths, and more importantly, their weaknesses. A great
start-up leader is confident enough to be honest about areas for growth.
Knowing areas you need the most assistance with allows you to identify the
right people to join your team, as well as the best potential strategic
partners for your business. --Charles Bogoian, Kenai Sports
12. The Ability to Listen
Listening is completely underrated in most business
environments. In our hyper-competitive world, the person who speaks first--and
loudest--is most often heard. But soliciting feedback and internalizing what
you hear will always make you a better leader. Your employees will appreciate
that you care about their POV and you'll gain trusted partners for the road
ahead. --Brendan Mangus, Habidy
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