What does it take to be the leader of a startup?
Good heavans, its been awhile since I blogged. Midterms were two weeks ago, along with a push to launch some new backend stuff at my businesses, then I took a much-needed spring break.
In any case, while on vacation, I was contemplating what it takes to be the leader of a startup.
1. Visionary: the leader sets a vision and a plan that the whole team can rally around and execute on. He or she weighs the cost of opportunistic endeavors against the current plan, and only deviates if it can be clearly argued why a change in direction is necessary.
2. Responsive: the leader is rapid and decisive when it comes to making long-term plans or altering short-term plans that affect the company as a whole. He or she is quick to take action where necessary.
3. Reliable: employees have faith that their leader is acting unselfishly and in all of their interests. They know where their responsibilites begin and end, and know that they will be recognized and rewarded for going above and beyond.
4. Charismatic: the leader speaks well to the media, the customers, and the partners.
5. Understands the needs of the market: A company grows on the strength of its products. Steve Jobs turned Apple around by making sure that every product was a total winner, and generally, he gets those products to market on time.
6. Empowering: A leader must feel comfortable giving employees the latitude and the information they need to make intelligent decisions.
Almost every problem I’ve seen in small businesses can be traced to the company’s leadership, and their own failure to follow these leaderhips principals. Am I missing any here?
March 7th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
Hi Jonathan,
I would add [b]fearlessness[/b]: having the ability to stand by your philosophy, your product, and one’s new life style…i.e., going from the somewhat saftey and support of a traditional office to making up new rules as a solo [i]artist[/i].
Spring break! What’s that! lol
March 8th, 2006 at 9:10 am
Kim, I like what you said but What you describe sounds to me more like [b]courage[/b] than fearlessness. There are times when we’ve got doubts and fears but we’re moving forward anyway. We’re not letting our fears keep us from acting.
Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you’re scared to death.
- Harold Wilson
March 8th, 2006 at 10:43 am
A sense of humor… or a degree of nuttiness… should rank up there somewhere.
March 8th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Matt I should work on the humor aspect, yes definately…I get too nervouse about certain things.
And Steve, yes…you are right, courage, bravery part of it too…when I say fearless, I mean you are so determined that you almost can’t even see the fear. Fearless to me is a notch above having courage…lol
March 9th, 2006 at 8:53 am
Hey Kim–
Seriously…
I think humor is a skill everyone–present company included–should use.
It helps to laugh off a lot of the stressful situations that naturally happen during the start-up stage and it also helps you keep things in perspective, no matter what business your in.
Humor is aspirin for burn-out.
Matt
March 9th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Thank you Matt,
I agree with you…and that is one of those skills which, if it isn’t natural to you, you have to learn.
For example, each time a sale comes in, instead of thinking, ‘yay, Kim’ — I tend to think, well that’s great for now, but what about tomorrow or what if I never get another sale again?
I’m thinking I should have fun with the order…smile at the choice the customer made, (secretly giggle at some of the orders)…
Thanks…I’ll keep trying.