Success Advice
How to Leverage Your Leadership Style for Business Success
When we hear that leaders should operate within their zone(s) of genius, it’s easy to think that this only applies to tasks that they excel at. Whilst this is true, the piece of the puzzle that is often overlooked is the positive correlation between a leader’s zone of genius and their leadership style.
This is important because not knowing your leadership style can lead to frustration, friction and, ultimately, failure to meet KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) as you try to grow and scale your business.
Want to know how you can avoid these pitfalls? Keep reading to discover where you fall within the following 3 common leadership styles:
Value Creator
This type of leader wants to create value for their consumers and teammates. The core concerns for this type of leader are: Is my product selling? Are people engaging with my brand after signing up? Are they telling others about it? These are important things that a value creator wants to measure and improve.
This type of leadership style is often found in marketing executives or salespeople, because they have a clear understanding of the business and its product’s value proposition. These are the people who go out into the world to communicate why people should buy into their product. Well-known value creators Steve Jobs. Elon Musk and Gary Vee.
Value creator strengths
- Possess great sales and marketing skills
- Have an excellent understanding of their business, brand and product value
- Know how to create value by bringing together various industries. For example, Steve Jobs was a value creator. He brought technology and music together, creating the iPod and a great demand and desire for the product
Value creator weaknesses
- Their strong belief in their business and product can lead to them not seeking advice or listening to others
- While the value creator’s personality and sales flair leads to success, it can cause friction amongst teammates and other leaders, as they may want things done their way
- Over-selling the benefits of their product is another pitfall that can cause the value creator to lose credibility if their product does not live up to expectations
The Business operator
Are you a value creator? If not, you might just be a business operator. A business operator is concerned about the systems and technology that keep the business running. Unlike the value creator, whose strengths are mostly seen outside the business through sales and marketing, the business operator excels in the day-to-day operations of the business. This is why they are also known as the “systems operators”.
Examples of successful business operators are Jeff Bezos and Jack Welch, who have both been able to build and scale-up big entities by improving their respective business models.
Business operator strengths
- Have a deep understanding of how each department and system is connected and how this impacts the overall business
- Keep the business running and growing through innovative business models and systems
Business operator weaknesses
- Business operators can be too focused on systems which could make them too rigid and stifle creativity
- Their focus on the business systems can make them lose touch with people within the company or feel that they are expendable in comparison
The People developer
Are you a leader who wants to see their team grow, be fulfilled by their jobs and ultimately be happy? Then you might be a people developer. The name gives it away, but here’s a brief explanation of this leadership style. A people developer wants to develop and nurture talent in their teammates.
Think of Oprah or, more specifically, the Oprah Winfrey Show. From the crew to the cast that came onto the show, everyone was given the opportunity to showcase their talent, their new book or their story. The show led to newly discovered pop sensations and even bestselling books. This wasn’t just the so-called “Oprah effect” in action, but a testament to her leadership style.
The people developer creates a happy environment for employees, as their job satisfaction will result in them staying in the business and performing at their best.
People developer strengths
- Have an ability to build relationships with employees and customers
- Can grow and develop talent, resulting in skilled employees and increased productivity
- Can create healthy and happy work environments that promote employee satisfaction
People developer weaknesses
- The people developer can be a people-pleaser
- They may grow an attachment to their teammates which can make it hard to enforce company rules and deadlines
- A people developer may struggle with enforcing repercussions
- They may struggle with giving negative feedback
As the business landscape changes, so is the face of leadership and styles of leadership within business. Good leadership is one that is connected to the business’ marketing, its systems and its people. While others may naturally have one or two of these leadership styles, every leader can learn how to see things from a Value creators point of view, a Business operator’s and a People developer’s too. Having a diverse leadership structure that includes various types of leadership styles is essential to the success of a business in this ever-changing world.
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Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.
Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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