When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don’t seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. 

Then maybe it’s time for you to stand up and do something about it.

You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavour a person chooses.

First of all, let’s define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organisation and cohesion of a group.

Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organisation. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organisation. You must be a leader not a boss.

Our SMS program shows Senior Management how to be leaders by providing a common system to be used throughout the business, in order to drive more sales. Whether B2B or B2C, it is key to understanding your staff and for them to know how and where their roles fit in. They will always follow those with clear visions.

Many years ago, Sir John Harvey-Jones, a former business guru, appeared in a TV program called “Troubleshooter”. The scenario was always that a company was in trouble (low or decreasing sales), the board were in denial and had created a story to fit why the company was in trouble and all seemed desperate and hopeless.

The first action Sir John undertook was to sit with the board and try to understand the issues. The second action he took was to go onto the shop floor and ask the workers how to fix the business. They knew what was needed, but nobody ever listened to them.

See Sir John in a 2000 episode on changing the fortunes of Triang and the Morgan Car Company. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBu5ewmEP2E or see a Tribute to Sir John by Evan Davies (Dragons Den Presenter) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S97ordrn3m4 

Our program shows you how to be a good listener and also how to create the plans and mission statements that gets every member of staff to buy in. If you business is a handful of people or hundreds, the system is designed to at least double sales, often more.

First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How do you do that?

People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don’t follow me, I’m lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you’re headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.

You yourself must know the vision of the organisation. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organisation’s goals and objectives, and how the organisation works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.

Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It’s about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you’re subordinates must be.

Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organisation.

Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.

The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.

Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.

Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you cannot be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.

Also, you cannot be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.

It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organisation.

Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.

You should recognise and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realisation will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.

Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.

So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.

Let our SMS show you how to organise, create, define, clarify and execute your sales process from beginning to end like a well oiled machine and multiply those sales!

Leaders carry a huge burden of responsibility and you may feel that it is too much for you to carry. In reality, a good leader has the burden shared by all his followers.

You may also like to read “Sales Training Doesn’t Work!”