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4 Steps On How To Become A Leader That Talented People Beg To Work For

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How To Become A Leader, Talented People Beg To Work For

You just finished your umpteenth leadership book, and you want to hurl it across the room.

The advice isn’t bad, in fact, it’s flawless. You absolutely get what you have to do.

You’re supposed to serve the people you lead. Even love them, celebrate with them, and mourn with them.

Remember what they share about their personal lives. Listen deeply to them.

Show them you set high standards and expect at least as much from yourself as you do from them.

When witless policies and procedures threaten to demotivate your team, you should absorb the shock so they can get on with their excellent work.

Yeah, you get what you should do. What’s missing is how to become such a leader.

Follow these tips to become a leader, who talented people, will knock down doors to work for.

 

1. Prepare Yourself To Lead

You’re there to serve the people you lead, so it’s not really all about you.

Paradoxically, you can’t wholeheartedly serve them unless you’ve prepared yourself. And not by taking another class or workshop.

Instead, establish a regular contemplative practice.

Set aside a quiet, peaceful corner in your home, and start your day with meditation.

As you calm down, you’ll be more present to yourself and others, which will support your team’s well-being.

You’ll also have more energy to ride smoothly through your workplace chaos.

Next, try these tips to polish your leadership qualities:
  • Accept that being a leader means you’ll be regularly interrupted, so you’ll need to shift seamlessly between fine-pointed concentration and more expansive awareness.
  • Use the power of your calendar to set and stick to a schedule so your work doesn’t constantly spill over into your personal life.
  • Get and preserve clarity about your business priorities. While this sounds like a no-brainer, you can lose track of them easily when work gets frantic.

 

Leadership is a tough gig and needs the same dedicated approach to excellence as any other demanding profession.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. ” – John Maxwell

2. Regularly Replenish Your Leadership Reserves

No matter how well you prepare yourself, you know how it goes when you’re in a leadership role.

You’re often on the run, and time flashes by.

Suddenly, you snap the head off the next person who strolls into your office.

You regret their shocked expression as they back away slowly. Surely they’ll forgive you.

You scrabble through your desk drawers for that stash of chocolate you’re certain you hadn’t yet finished. “Please, God, let there be at least a bite left!”

Then all you want to do is put your head down on your desk for just one minute and, bam! For the next few minutes, you’re lights out.

Not so fun, right?

 

To keep yourself in top leadership form, do the following throughout your workday to “sharpen the saw,” as Stephen Covey put it:
  • Pause for a few minutes, especially when everything’s frantic. Lean back in your chair and dial down your brain. Close your eyes, put up your feet, and cross your arms behind your head. But tell your boss and team what you’re doing so they don’t think you’re slacking off! Encourage them to do the same.
  • Build personal time into your calendar, 15 minutes here and there, especially right after an event that you know drains your energy. Mark the time private. Go for a walk, shut your door, and do some jumping jacks or yoga stretches. Get your body moving and rejuvenate your mind at the same time.
  • Honor your intuition. Bring it into the mix of factors you consider when making a decision. Research shows that intuition is a powerful addition to your capabilities. And when you repress or ignore it, you may actually harm yourself over time.

 

3. Have The Heart Of A Lion

Being an exemplary leader requires courage.

You’re there to buffer your team and absorb the inevitable workplace ridiculousness so they can get on with their excellent work.

Like pushing back against absurd policies that seem deliberately crafted to demoralize talented people.

Or taking a cue from the most successful sports coaches and spending most of your time with your top performers, which is opposite from what most of us are exhorted to do.

Even banishing group-speaking by creating an environment where everyone can speak up and contribute their ideas safely — yet being fiercely compassionate and calling out detrimental behavior when it occurs, rather than leaving it to fester.

If you’ve ever been in a workplace where someone was behaving badly, but the managers lacked the courage to address the poor behavior, you know how damaging it can be.

Being fearful of confrontation is natural. But as John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”

As a leader, you are always on stage. People will take their cues from you.

Model the behavior you’d like them to emulate.

Leadership
 

 

4. Be Relentlessly Humble

Authentic servant leadership isn’t, in the end, all about you. If you think you’re all that and a bag of chips, it’s time to recalibrate!

Be willing to re-consider every detail about who you firmly believe yourself to be. Letting go of your idea of a fixed persona is one of the fastest ways to hone yourself as a leader and adapt your style to suit the circumstances.

Challenge yourself to examine your assumptions.

Although ongoing questioning of yourself seems like the behavior of an insecure person, it’s not. You’ll need robust self-confidence.

Seek your team’s opinion, especially when you’re stumped on a problem. You hired excellent people, right? Don’t be afraid to crowd-source a solution.

Apologize to your team and the rest of your colleagues when you’ve stepped in it. Offer up an apology, take your licks, and tell them how you’ll make amends.

And take what you do seriously but don’t take yourself seriously.

“Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position.” – Brian Tracy

Are You Ready To Be A Crackerjack Leader?

No matter the size or scope of your organization, you can become an excellent leader.

When you do, your exceptional qualities will draw exceptionally talented people to you.

They’ll call and ask if you have any job openings because they heard you were great to work for.

Even if you don’t have a job coming up, they’ll ask you to please keep them in mind the next time you have something suitable.

They will also be selling themselves to you, making it easier for you to build an outstanding team.

People who already work for you will turn down transfers, and sometimes even promotions, to keep you as their leader. They’ll brag to their colleagues about the fantastic place they work for, and the great boss they have.

Your team will deliver excellent results.

When you’re a stand-out leader, talented people will crawl over broken glass to work for you.

9 Powerful Quotes That’ll Inspire You to Be Your Own Boss

Lynn Hauka teaches leaders to work less, get better results, and have time for a rich personal life. Find out how at The Balanced Boss and get a free copy of “5 Calendar Hacks To Be More Productive Yet Leave Work On Time.”

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How to Build Your Dream Tech Startup Team

Are you starting a startup business? Look to build a tech team for your “newborn organization,” and check out this article for useful tips.

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building a startup team
Image Credit: Midjourney

Building a tech startup in today’s competitive market is a daunting task. While an innovative software business idea is considered a great foundation for success, it is not a guarantee. Instead, how you build your tech startup team plays a crucial role in determining the ultimate success of a venture. (more…)

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15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

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Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's
Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

 

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

 

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

 

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

 

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

 

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

 

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

 

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

 

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

 

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

 

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

 

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

 

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

 

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

 

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

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How to Manage Your Startup’s Finances More Efficiently

No matter how groundbreaking your product or service, your startup could quickly be on shaky ground without proper financial management

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managing your startups finances

Running a triumphant startup requires juggling numerous responsibilities. From managing operations and coordinating with team members to developing innovative marketing strategies and nurturing relationships with clients, the to-do list seems endless. (more…)

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5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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