Everyone has a different type of leadership style, though when you’re young you don’t quite know what that style is yet. Leadership is more than charisma and a wide, movie star smile—it takes years of experience and deliberation to have leadership become second nature, as well as many different character traits to finesse so you can become the best version of yourself. Working on these traits is also integral to becoming a great entrepreneur. In order to work toward the best leader you can be, here are some things you can do that will change the way you lead.
Stay focused on the present.
While it’s crucial to look toward the future so you can achieve your vision, it’s just as important to focus in on the present so you can achieve those visions. It’s far too easy to get stuck daydreaming about the future and what you believe you can accomplish, just as it’s easy to get lost in the past and mull over previous mistakes and shortcomings. Doing either of these will only serve to negatively impact your present, since you can’t change the past and the future is unpredictable. The best thing you can do is focus in on the present since it’s something you’re able to control and take things one day at a time.
Be mindful of your health.
You won’t get much done if you’re unwell. It’s tempting to push through your workday no matter how poorly you’re feeling, but prioritizing your health over everything else will not only ensure that you remain well, but it will also influence the culture of your company to follow in your direction. If you show that you’ll take care of yourself, you become a role model for others to do the same. This doesn’t just apply to your physical health—take care of your emotional, spiritual, and mental health as well.
Accept that you won’t always succeed.
Humans aren’t perfect, and that applies to you as well. You won’t always succeed in what you set out to do, and as a leader, you need to accept that rather than try to deflect it onto others. If you fall short during a quarter or a deal you were counting on falls through, it’s your job to take responsibility for it happening rather than placing the blame for any shortcomings on someone else. Accepting responsibility for failures and setbacks will strengthen your team and build their trust in you. Setbacks are just that—setbacks. They aren’t the end of the world, and all you can do is learn from the situation before moving on to your new course of action.