Startups

3 Leadership Lessons All Founders Should Embrace

  • 4 min Read
  • November 2, 2020

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

Apart from dealing with hundreds of things on their plates at any given time, business founders also need to be great leaders. That way, when their company starts growing, they’ll be prepared for all the leadership lessons that come with it, in order to positively interact with their employees, among other things.

Being a good leader can be challenging. While a leader’s actions may be criticized when times are tough, it is their leadership qualities that shine through the worst of times and that lead team members to respect them. That’s why it is vital for every leader to try and embrace the qualities of great leadership.

The greatest of leaders display certain attributes that make them hugely successful. Here are the top three leadership qualities that every good leader should possess.

Hire Well and Delegate

As the proverb goes, “A man is known by the company he keeps.” The same is true for a business leader. As founder-CEO, you will be defined by the people you choose to surround yourself. If there is dysfunction at the top, it will flow to the bottom, causing dysfunction throughout the company. Therefore, you must always treat recruiting as one of the top three priorities when it comes to running your business well. This is especially true when recruiting your board of directors, because it will be a lot harder to fire a board member if they make a mistake, as compared to firing a regular employee.

In addition, a rising attrition rate has made the job market tougher than ever, hitting small- and medium-sized businesses particularly hard. One of the best ways to ensure you hire the right candidates for the right roles is to use end-to-end recruiting strategies.

Once you have found the right people for the right jobs, you must also know how to delegate wisely. A successful leader knows how to delegate effectively and get the best out of all his staff members. Delegation is essential for maximizing team performance and productivity. And, knowing when and how to delegate will give you more time to carry out your most important tasks.

Remember, delegation does not end at simply delegating tasks to team members — it also entails having the understanding and awareness about who has the necessary skills and expertise to complete the delegated tasks. Mindful delegation is crucial for saving time and avoiding future inconveniences.

Make Customer Service a Top Priority

It goes without saying that customer service should be a top priority for any business in order to be successful. And to make customer focus a reality in your company, you must first showcase a genuine commitment to customer focus — real change needs to come from the top.

Second, you must make it clear to all your employees, starting at orientation itself, what’s at stake and how important it is for your organization to address clients’ needs proactively. You must also ensure that your business systematically recognizes and rewards customer-focused behavior.

Lastly, you should establish processes that communicate customer insights among staff members, all the way up to the top.

Maintaining genuine and positive relationships with customers has several long-term benefits for any business. Staying in touch with your existing clientele, even when they are not giving you business, is vital for the growth of any organization. This will help you retain customers and create good will in the greater community on a large scale.

Listen Carefully

Leadership speaker John Baldoni says, “The roots of effective leadership lie in simple things, one of which is listening. Listening to someone demonstrates respect; it shows that you value their ideas and are willing to hear them.”

Active listening — not just to customers but to employees and anyone else who has ideas — is one essential quality you must embrace if you want to be a good leader. Good leaders listen to everyone with great sincerity and attention. It helps them understand people and their differing perspectives.

Listening actively also helps build trust in relationships in the long run. Effective leaders communicate sincerely; they focus on the message as well as the messenger; they never interrupt and always acknowledge what is being said to them.

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Accounting & Finance

How to Set Up Payroll, A Guide for Small Business Owners 

Setting up a payroll system is an essential step that helps small business owners pay their employees accurately and on...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Financial Planning for the Future, Setting Long-Term Business Goals

While small businesses must handle day-to-day tasks—like managing payroll or closing monthly books—long-term planning is the compass that keeps them...

Read More
People Management & HR

Benefits Administration, What Small Business Need to Know

Benefits administration can be a game-changer for small businesses aiming to attract and retain top talent. While salaries remain an...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

AAP vs. Cash Accounting: Which Method Is Best for Your Growing Business? 

Choosing the right accounting method can significantly impact how you track financial performance, manage taxes, and plan growth. Two common...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Beyond Bootstrapping: Advanced Cash Flow Management for Scaling Companies 

Bootstrapping—financing growth through internal cash flow—is a hallmark of many successful startups. But as businesses mature past their initial stage,...

Read More
Technology & Security

Building a Scalable Tech Stack: How to Choose the Right Tools for Growth 

In today’s business landscape, technology is more than a convenience—it’s a strategic asset that can supercharge growth. But as you...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

How to Reduce Month-End Close Time Without Sacrificing Accuracy 

The month-end close can feel like a perpetual scramble—collecting invoices, reconciling accounts, fixing last-minute errors. A drawn-out close not only...

Read More
uncategorized

How to Reduce Overhead Costs Without Impacting Productivity 

Overhead costs—from utilities and rent to administrative staffing—can quietly swell until they erode profit margins and slow your ability to...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

How to Structure Your Finance Team as Your Business Scales

Growth triggers a tidal wave of financial complexity, multi-entity operations, new product lines, overseas expansion, or investor relations. If your...

Read More