Leadership in Tough Times

What is it that you see as the top three burning issues in your business?

Does your top 3 include sales, finance or planning?
May be it's what our latest survey uncovered ... "leadership".

This was not what we expected.
Normally we don't go back seeking clarification from our small business surveys but this time we did ... with a new survey seeking to find out "why leadership?"

"Great leaders don’t need to act tough."

"Confidence and humility serve to emphasise their resillience."
"Mistreating, berating or humiliating people doesn't build loyalty or confidence."
"Ask questions instead of yelling orders."
"Show you’re human by admitting mistakes, instead of lambasting those who point them out for you."
"Tough leaders may be effective in the short term, but they rarely, if ever, become great long term leaders."
"What I reckon leaders need to do is surround themselves with people smarter and stronger than they are, instead of trying to be the smartest or strongest."

These were the common points that arose in response to ...

* What do you see as being important attributes that business and community leaders require?
* What disappoints you most in relation to the leaders you interact with?

The comments box?

The comments box was most interesting ...

Drought, the GFC and the huge fallout from what was described as "political ineptitude" were the core areas commented on. The politics bit was not party focused, however it covered all 3 levels of government, where there "appears" to be a distinct lack of consultation, a focus on short term opportunism rather than with a strategic focus, and a lack of real leadership skills.

Circle of Influence

All of this politicking is of concern, but I am reminding everyone that we cannot influence these things and so it becomes imperative to focus on the 'circle of influence', not the 'circle of concern'.

Now is the time to strategise and act on how best to be a family, business and community leader in current times, and how to be effective in moving forward, without being seen to be reactive to others poor skills.