Publication number: ELQ-62336-1
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How to Never Stop Learning as a Venture Leader
Learn how you can continue learning as a Venture Leader.
Introduction
You probably think that the fact that you have started your own business validates your leadership ability. It may confirm that you were a leader yesterday, but do you have what it takes to be a leader tomorrow? In this era of rapid change, you can’t afford to stop learning, or you will find that your competitors, your customers, and your team, may soon be following someone else.
In fact, you may have noticed in a recent study, that the business CEO turnover rate last year was the highest in 10 years, and may go even higher this year. Real business leadership requires continuous improvement, just like your products and processes. Fortunately, contrary to popular opinion, the evidence is that leadership is not a birthright, and can be learned and improved.
Most people agree that leadership is primarily a set of behaviors that capitalize on relationships and a current market and customer understanding in a complex world. It’s not about a title, raw intelligence, or domination. Based on my own experience in large and small businesses, as well as mentoring entrepreneurs, here is my list of behaviors which will keep you ahead of the pack:
- Step n°1 |
Focus on managing relationships more than tasks.
Leaders in new companies who have had to do much of the work themselves sometimes find it hard to now find time for the people who are now critical to their future. Building new relationships, inside and outside the company, and nurturing old ones, is a key to long-term leadership.
- Step n°2 |
Be the visible role model for accountability and trust.
Team members and other constituents carefully watch what you do, as well as what you say. If you are too busy to be visible, or don’t practice what you preach, their perception of your leadership will diminish. You can’t hold others accountable, if you don’t take the high road yourself. - Step n°3 |
Spend more time asking questions than dictating answers.
Top leaders are always looking to grow by asking probing questions and gathering new insights from a broad range of relationships, rather than advocating their own views. They show empathy to constituents around them, encourage followers to step outside their safe zone.
