Looking at how to become a leader in business? Exemplifying leadership qualities is key to professional success and will create new opportunities for growth and to move up at your company. But, you must be a leader first. Illustrating leadership qualities will facilitate your lateral growth in business and will enable others to follow your same path. Some are innate leaders and others can learn how to become a leader in business.
A leader is defined by someone who “others follow” or someone who has “social influence.” All leaders possess the same qualities and are devoted to success. Everyone has their own tips for becoming a leader, none are wrong, but some may be more important than others–some may be more beneficial to your success in business.
From experience, here are my top tips on how to become a leader in business:
- Efficient Problem Solver: Solving problems efficiently by saving your company time and resources is vital. Everyone can problem solve, but reaching resolutions while still increasing productivity is difficult. Those who illustrate the ability to quickly solve problems and allow more time to maximize profits will be quickly promoted to a position that influences their company’s success
- Think High Level: Perhaps one of the more difficult tips, thinking high level will help move you from thinking day-t0-day and instead quarter-to-quarter. Understanding the “big picture” will help you align your team’s goals with the overall company strategy and how you contribute to the company’s success. Think top down and how your strategy affects day-to-day activities.
- Communication: Communication is one of the most important characteristics of a leader, although it seems easy, it’s one of the toughest skills to master. Knowing how to present new ideas, how to suggest a different direction and when to speak up is important. Leaders possess the ability to articulate their thoughts and persuade others that their way is right way–obviously with facts to back up their reasoning.
- Visionary: Leaders are visionaries. Leaders have a vision, make others believers and run with it.
- Perfect Execution: Leaders have the ability to execute their vision perfectly. In order to this, they must be able to problem solve, think high level, communicate their thoughts and execute their vision perfectly. They understand the critical path, engage others and produce results. They accept perfect execution and nothing less.
Leaders are in all positions and not just executive level. If you’re a leader, make it know that you have a vision, can get others to follow you and really can make a difference. The more you aspire to become a leader in business, the more opportunities will arise and you’ll achieve your professional goals. It’s not easy, it’s not hard, but it does take perfect practice. Start now!
Check out Forbes’ 2012 List of the Greatest Living Leaders Today