Are you so good at your work that you’re afraid to delegate it?
Peter Voogd, labeled the world’s leading authority for millennials and entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur.com, believes that many entrepreneurs suffer from ‘Superman Syndrome’ and don’t know how to delegate–or how to attract and keep good employees. This often leads to 80-hour work weeks and quick burnout. Remaining territorial about work also means missing out on revenue opportunities because it’s impossible to scale up the business without a team.
Delegating essentially means leading, and based on his own journey of going from broke to a six-figure income by the age of 23, Voogd knows that entrepreneurs should develop qualities of a leader to be successful—both in business and in life.
Whether you have a team of 20, a team of two, or only work for yourself, you are a business owner, therefore you lead the way. Even if you never considered yourself a leader before, you are essentially taking on a leadership role to achieve the results you envision.
In his upcoming Creative Live class, Lessons on Leadership, Voogd states the importance of hiring people who complement your weakness. The class will not only discuss the idea of leadership as a muscle you can train, but how being an overwhelmed business owner shouldn’t hold you back from becoming an excellent and effective delegator.
Do you have what it takes to both run a business and have the life you want? Start by seeing if these five leadership qualities apply to you:
1) Long-term thinker
You have a vision and you’re setting out to make it come to life with your product or service. But realizing your vision will take time as you push through trial and error to find the right path. Sticking to your goals requires a clear, long-term strategy that will keep you on course as you encounter obstacles. But just as important, having a strategy allows for your team members and potential customers or investors to understand and follow along with your plan, every step of the way. Voogd suggests a long-term roadmap that leaves room for changing circumstances.
2) Understanding your strengths and weaknesses
If you are creating a team of people to help realize your vision, you need to know how that team will support you. By realizing your weaknesses, you can hire the right people who complement your set of strengths. It is your strengths that will bring your team together and guide them through the ups and downs.
3) Decisiveness
It goes without saying that a leader must take action, especially when there are difficult decisions to be made. Being decisive shows your team members, business partners, and potential customers that you are confident in your product or service, and that you know what you want. Such confidence inspires trust and will motivate your team. And when you don’t waste time in taking action, you will, as Voogd says, feel a peace of mind knowing that you are being as productive as possible.
4) Creativity
One of the most critical qualities that a leader possesses is creativity. As you head up your team, you will have to draw on your creative powers to overcome unforeseen obstacles and figure out how to convince people to exhibit your work or invest in your project. You are the one who cares most about realizing your vision. You are the only who knows why your product or service must be out there in the world, and you have to find a way to make it happen. As a creative-minded professional, you’ve already harnessed your creative powers to produce your work—now you can unleash it further to steer your business in the right direction.
5) Clear communication
To avoid confusion and disarray among team members, a leader needs to be very clear in his or her communication of goals, deadlines, finances and general expectations. This is also very important when dealing with investors or potential customers. It’s not only about person-to-person communication, but also how you represent your product or service through a website, business card or marketing efforts. Your business will be more attractive and memorable when you are clear and to the point with your message.
What recurring trait do you see in leaders? Share with us! Also, be sure to join Peter Voogd’s upcoming class Lessons on Leadership on March 9, 2017 at 9 AM PST.
