6 Key Leadership Skills That Help Grow Small Business

Whether you own a business or manage one, these leadership skills will help grow a business. Better yet, they will help you become a great leader in life as well!

Anyone can put on the right outfit, grab a laptop, and be given the responsibility to lead. However, to be effective and thrive in that position, you need to have the right skills.

Leadership skills are especially vital when running a business and setting it up for success. Even the highest-ranking organisations hunt for people that are practised leaders to fill these impactful executive positions.

If you’re looking to stand out and nurture a high-growth environment for your team, keep reading to learn what type of leadership skills are the most crucial to business success.

#1 – A commitment to learning

A leadership personality understands that learning is a lifelong process, so it’s important to continuously look for ways to educate and strengthen yourself.

Besides that, a leader is always aware that other people may be more informed than them on certain topics. By allowing those people to express themselves, greater benefits are achieved overall.

Lastly, the ability to learn through experience – and then go a step further to promote a learning atmosphere – is one of the many business leadership skills essential for any professional who strives for success.

#2 – Relationship building 

Some leaders will argue they do not need to be loved at work. While this may be true, to construct a more engaged and cohesive team, great leaders must learn how to build good working relationships in the business.

Good working relationships boost employee engagement. According to Gallup’s employee engagement meta-analysis, business units with high employee engagement have 41% fewer quality problems and 37% lower withdrawal behaviours.

Higher employee engagement was also associated with a 21% increase in productivity. So, even if you believe you don’t need to be loved at work, you still need to be able to build positive relationships to be successful.

#3 – Adaptation

The economic landscape is constantly changing, and adaptation is one of the key leadership skills that rank high on the scale. The ability to perceive change, handle it, and assist others to adapt is a critical leadership skill to ensure a company succeeds in the long run.

Business owners must also implement changes as seamlessly as possible, without disrupting the flow of the organisation. A leader’s capacity to adjust helps them pass on the vision of change and motivate others to follow suit.

#4 – Communication 

Effective communication is essential for any leader, at any level. To understand this, consider what leaders do: they inspire others to follow them and work together toward common goals.

This means communicating objectives to your team and articulating a plan of action for achieving them. When this pattern is followed carefully, success and expansion become a real possibility.

#5 – Trustworthiness

Employees must feel comfortable approaching their manager or leader with issues and queries. Because employees will only trust leaders they respect, it’s essential for a business leader to demonstrate integrity.

As a leader, you will foster the same level of honesty in your employees if you are honest and open. What are the most important skills and characteristics that will help you convey your trustworthiness as a leader?

  • Business ethics
  • Confidentiality
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Accountability
  • Conscientiousness
  • Credibility
  • Empathy

#6 – Decisiveness

Making good decisions promptly requires decisiveness, one of the most effective leadership skills. However, even the most decisive leader may be afraid of being held accountable for a bad decision given that their choices directly affect how they are perceived as a leader.

Although some leaders are hesitant to make snap decisions, the repercussions of indecision far outweigh the consequences of making the wrong decision occasionally.

Leaders who struggle to make decisions have a much higher chance of facing less than ideal outcomes. These leaders also tend to be remembered for their indecision for a far longer time.

Final thoughts

Of course, many other essential and core skills help expand a business. However, through a leadership lens, the keys skills discussed above will definitely nudge you toward authentic and impactful leadership. With the right leadership skills, you can stand out in a competitive market and nurture a high-growth environment.

MORE – The Best HR Tips To Boost The Morale In Your Small Business

MORE – Why Businesses Should Look After Their Employees

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