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Wise Choices for Business
Building Your Leadership Style
5 Fundamentals That Impact Leadership Success
by Michelle Stockman | Arkansas Capital Corporation Group,
Fayetteville
In our current recession, business you have
leaders are being tested and vetted for commu-
the survival of the fittest. Your com- nicated
pany’s strength is only as good as its your goals, give employees room to do
employees and those who lead them to their work. It’s okay to ask for progress
success. While there are many leader- reports or have an open door for ques-
ship and management books to help tions, but you don’t need to micro-man-
you refine your style, there is no one fix age every move. If you do, you’ll have
for any one person. another problem to address.
Dilbert and the like make millions of 4. Understand the human side.
us laugh by poking fun at the frustra- It’s important to realize that employees
tions of working with leaders. From are people first, and they will bring their
micro-manager, militant boss, passive personal lives with them to work. Emo-
manager and disorganized leader to the tions can’t be turned off at the doorway,
know-it all boss, non-communicative so work with your employees through
manager and workaholic boss, leaders difficult times. It’s unrealistic to assume
are as different as people. their productivity will be 100% everyday.
Despite what type of leader you are
It’s also unrealistic to assume you will
or wish to be, here are five fundamental
overlook an employee who has a “crisis”
skills that can help any business leader
everyday. Address the issue privately
understand the impact of their leader-
and promptly.
ship success: 5. Leverage team talents. Today’s
1. Create a healthy work environ-
leaders quickly learn each staff mem-
ment among all employees. Aim to
bers’ talents and passions. With that in
build a work sphere that limits gossip
hand, you will have a sound roadmap of
and negativity, and instead encourages
who is the best for any given job. Take
communication and open dialogue at all
care not to limit a task to only those with
levels.
an appropriate title. Use the talents of
2. Be fair and equal. You may have
those who are the right fit and may rise
favorite employees, but it’s important to
to a good challenge.
not show favoritism. Be conscious about
encouraging everyone to do their best,
Michelle Stockman works with Little Rock-
and then recognize their best. Other-
based Arkansas Capital Corp. to promote
wise, your corporate climate may build entrepreneurship development in Northwest
include barriers between employees
Arkansas and around the state. She first
and a negative environment.
successfully implemented the first statewide
3. State clear goals and expecta-
entrepreneurship development system in
North Carolina and has opened Arkansas’
tions. Be clear about goals, deadlines,
first community entrepreneurship center.
problems and expectations for the team,
Email Michelle at mstockman@arcapital.
as well as for each employee. Once
com.
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