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8 Attributes of a Good Leader in Business

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Leadership is a critical skill used at every level in business. From senior executives to managers, business owners and team leaders, we all use strong leadership skills to drive activities and projects toward their end goal.

Whether you’re leading an entire organisation or just a small team, developing and honing your leadership skills is a goal to strive for at all stages of your business.  

Following are Numble’s top 8 attributes for strong leadership:

1. A Clear Business Vision

A great leader will often have a strong vision for their business, which guides business strategies as they advance towards the end goal. They will use this vision to motivate themselves and the team overall.

A leader will focus on the future with a positive mindset instead of dwelling on past problems. This type of thinking allows for long-term clarity instead of quick, band-aid solutions that offer no real value for a business.

Like entrepreneurs who are always on the pulse of their industry, good leaders can also anticipate trends in advance of their competitors and ask relevant questions based on what is happening in their market.

2. Delegate Effectively

Delegation in business is a core responsibility of all good business leaders. At times it can be challenging to know how to delegate effectively.

A great leader should know where their strengths lie and how best to use them. They also understand when to hand over to others who are more qualified or experienced. Some leaders fall short in business because they think they can do everything and don’t appreciate the importance of outsourcing. Making the right decision to outsource a role of the task will ensure skill gaps are identified and filled appropriately.

By delegating critical responsibilities to experts in their field such as marketing, accounting and bookkeeping, your business will gain the ability to improve exponentially.

Delegating will not only free up your time but allow other areas of the business to flourish, foster teamwork, encourage autonomy and personal responsibility, which leads to better decision making and results.

2. Business Goal Setting & KPIs

A strong leader will guide their team by setting achievable goals such as key performance indicators.

Measuring targets using KPIs can create an educative atmosphere within your company. The data generated through measurable KPIs can lead to meaningful conversations and collaborations within the workplace.

Identifying a downward trend on a KPI is an opportunity to talk with the individual or team involved. This can be a valuable opening allowing you to analyse the issue, identify solutions and provide guidance on addressing the situation. Identifying and monitoring goals will help your team perform more effectively and reach their set targets.

Additionally, KPIs can be analysed and tested to ensure they are, in fact, an effective measurement or whether modifications need to be made to unrealistic targets.

4. Strong Communication

Excellent leadership and communication go hand-in-hand. The best leaders are skilled communicators who can connect in various ways, from relaying information, providing inspiration, or coaching others through periods of hardship or growth.

A successful business owner is a leader who can listen and communicate with a wide range of people across roles, geographies, social identities, and more. The quality and effectiveness of communication among leaders across your organisation directly affect business strategy outcomes.

5. Integrity

Integrity is an essential leadership trait for both leaders and their organisations. Having strong ethical and moral principles is especially important for senior executives who steer the organisation’s course while making significant business decisions.

A good leader will demonstrate the importance of honesty and integrity to others. They will lead by example and encourage those around them to do the same.

6. Positive Influence

Not to be confused with manipulation, genuine influence is carried out authentically and transparently. It requires a great deal of emotional intelligence and trust in the workplace.

A good leader will positively influence their staff by convincing through logical, truthful, emotional, and cooperative processes.

7. Show Courage

Speaking up at work can be tricky and may trigger some anxiety. Whether it’s voicing a new idea, providing feedback, or flagging a concern related to another employee, showing courage and conviction is the sign of a true leader.

Courage and resilience are essential traits of good managers. Rather than avoiding problems or allowing conflicts to fester, courage enables leaders to step up and move things in the right direction efficiently and effectively.

A workplace with high levels of psychological safety and a strong coaching culture will further support truth and courage for all.

8. Show Respect

Treating people with respect, regardless of where they sit in the company hierarchy, is one of the most important things a leader can demonstrate. It helps to ease tensions and conflict, creates trust, and improves the effectiveness of workplace operations.

Respect is more than just being polite; it can be shown in various ways, such as onboarding appropriate employee suggestions, listening to ideas and engaging in honest two-way discussions. Showing respect to everyone in your sphere helps employees feel understood and appreciated, which in turn will help you attract and retain great staff while simultaneously boosting the overall company culture and morale.

By ensuring you incorporate the above attributes into your everyday leadership style, your team will thrive in their individual development and growth. At the same time, your business gains the invaluable opportunity to excel beyond what you ever thought possible.

To learn more about outsourcing your bookkeeping, BAS and payroll needs, contact Numble for a friendly chat about how we can help free up your time so that you can become a better leader for your business.

Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation Numble Pty Ltd acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.