Too many small business owners are by default small leaders, and this costs them dearly! However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Too many of us excel in “doer-ship” instead of “leadership,” and unfortunately, it shows in our businesses and our lives.
Too many owners of small businesses are micro-managers who like to touch and control everything. They trust no one but themselves. They believe “no one does it as well as me.” As a result, they seldom delegate, if they delegate at all. They mistake such busyness for business leadership.
Instead of thinking and leading like “owners,” many (if not most) of us think and behave like employees.
We don’t really see our primary role as building the company but instead, we see ourselves as primarily “working” for the company. Too often we have more of a job than a business. And as Michael Gerber says, “it’s the worst job in the world because you’re working for a lunatic!”
The Most Important Work of Leadership is Reflection and Thinking
Instead of reflecting and planning, too many small business owners excel at sweating and doing. Bottom line: You must grow as a leader! And the most important work of leadership is reflecting and thinking. That’s right – it’s reflecting and thinking!
Almost anyone can work for your company but no one else can (or should) think for your company! The most critical thing a leader does is think.
What do I think about? Glad you asked! Here is a list of things you should be thinking about as a business owner and leader:
- think about where you are currently;
- think about where you’ve come from;
- think about where you need to go;
- think about the opportunities that are before you;
- think about the people you have around you;
- think about the people you still need around you;
- think about the obstacles that have held you back in the past;
- think about what you need to change to overcome those obstacles;
- think about your vision for the future;
- think about what you need to do to begin realizing that vision;
- think about your systems;
- think about your mindset (yes, how you think about your business, yourself, and your future);
- think about your strategy moving forward;
- think about what your company is becoming;
- think about who you are becoming;
- think, think, think!
Make time to think and plan. Otherwise, you will always be a small leader.
Of course, you then need to delegate and execute. But you will never delegate and execute effectively if you do not think. Thinking is the most important work of leadership.
My job is to help you think, delegate, and execute so that you can achieve the results you want. If you need help, contact me today and we can set up a strategy session to help you make a plan to start becoming a strong leader for your business!