How to be a good leader

Startups might be fledgling, flexible and all over the place, but if they are to succeed they need one thing more than anything: leadership. If you want to set up a UK company, you will need to inspire your people and drive them forward in pursuit of a common goal. Here are three ways you can do that.

Listen to people

While managers might dictate, leaders do something different: they listen to people and they learn. Leadership, fundamentally, is about listening. Think about it. What do employees look for in senior management? People who are bloody-minded and driven only by their own aims? Or people who believe in a more democratic approach, listening to what their employees feel rather than ruthlessly pursuing goals? We bet you it’s the latter. Great leaders are a blank slate – they keep their eyes and ears on the ground and keep in pulse with their people, making changes as necessary.

Do what you say you will do

We have all read blogs that adopt leading by example as a crucial leadership trait. However, if you say you are going to do something, then do it. Make sure you do it by the time you said you would and exactly in the way you said you would execute it. Whatever it may be, and even if it is not a popular thing, your employees will respect you for it. Importantly, leading by example is about a whole lot more than being a great leader. It is a fantastic way to galvanise your staff and effect change in your start-up. If your people see you leading by example, they’ll do it too.

Always acknowledge mistakes

We have all seen awkward interviews with chief executive officers trying to limit damage to a company fall-out, anxious as they are to ensure the latest blip does not become an international public relations disaster. Time and time again, these apparent leaders only serve to engage in blaming, evasive language and the dreaded corporate-speak. Genuine leaders do not seek to assign blame where blame isn’t due, duck from questions or fail to give answers. If they, or their company has made a mistake, they admit it. So be honest and move on.

Goodwille help startups in the UK by supporting with everything practical you need to run a business. Don’t waste time on things that aren’t your core business, let Goodwille take care of it and focus on being a good leader and getting your business to where you want it! Get in touch with us today for more information on how Goodwille can support your UK startup.