Helping Lancashire businesses: What makes a good leader in a growing business?

Choosing the right leader to drive forward your growing business and inspire your team requires careful consideration and evaluation. As well as experience and a suitable skill set, many personal attributes will help to define the right person for that role.

Behaviour consultant Godwin Anthony from Ascent Academy delivers comprehensive solutions for all aspects of the hiring process to team-building and ongoing coaching. Here he offers ten key considerations to help you choose the right leader for a growing business.

1. Vision and strategic thinking: A good leader has a clear vision for the future of the business. They can articulate and communicate this vision to the team, inspiring and aligning everyone towards a common goal. They also possess strategic thinking skills, allowing them to analyse the market and to identify opportunities, and develop effective strategies to drive growth.
2. Adaptability and agility: In a growing business, change is constant. A good leader is adaptable and agile, able to navigate through uncertainty and embrace new challenges. They can adjust their plans and strategies as needed, making informed decisions in rapidly changing environments.
3. Entrepreneurial mindset: Leaders in growing businesses need to have an entrepreneurial mindset. They are proactive, innovative, and willing to take calculated risks. They encourage experimentation, creativity, and the pursuit of new ideas that can contribute to the growth of the business.
4. Strong communication: Effective communication is crucial for a leader in a growing business. They can clearly convey their expectations, share the company's vision, and provide regular updates and feedback to the team. They are also skilled listeners and will actively seeking input and feedback from employees and stakeholders.
5. Team building and talent development: A good leader understands the importance of building a strong team. They attract and retain top talent, recognising the value of diverse skills and perspectives. They invest in developing their team members, providing mentorship, training, and growth opportunities.
6. Decisiveness and accountability: Leaders in growing businesses must make timely and informed decisions. They gather relevant information, consider different viewpoints, and take decisive actions. They also take responsibility for their decisions and are accountable for the outcomes.
7. Emotional intelligence and empathy: A good leader understands the importance of emotional intelligence. They are self-aware and can manage their emotions effectively. Demonstrating empathy towards their team members, a good leader will understand their needs, concerns, and motivations. They create a supportive and inclusive work environment.
8. Resilience and perseverance: Leading a growing business can be challenging and demanding. A good leader exhibits resilience, staying focused and positive even in the face of setbacks or obstacles. They persevere through challenges and inspire their team to do the same.
9. Continuous learning: Leaders in growing businesses are committed to continuous learning and personal growth. They seek out opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills, stay informed about industry trends, and encourage a culture of learning and development within the organisation.
10. Integrity and ethical behaviour: A good leader upholds high ethical standards and acts with integrity. They make decisions based on values and principles, demonstrating honesty, transparency, and fairness. They are trusted by their team and stakeholders. Remember, leadership is a journey, and no leader is perfect. Good leaders are open to feedback, actively seek improvement, and learn from their experiences. They inspire and motivate their team members, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment in which the business can thrive.

See also: Helping Lancashire businesses: Choosing the right people to lead your business | Helping Lancashire businesses: Ten steps to building your team from the first employee

About the contributor Godwin Anthony is a behaviour consultant with a strong track record spanning two decades in the fields of recruitment and leadership development. His expertise lies in fostering high-performance cultures, cultivating winning teams, and providing top-notch coaching and mentoring. Godwin’s mission is centred around empowering individuals and businesses to enhance retention and rediscover their passion for their initial goals.

He achieves this by integrating coaching, training, and consulting while leveraging cutting-edge diagnostic tools like NLP, hypnotherapy, and DISC psychometric assessments, which are widely recognised and validated. Godwin received Boost support in 2022 to seek help for his own business to improve performance in a range of areas including marketing and finance.

Ascent Academy is a member of Boost & Co, which includes additional public and private sector organisations that can help businesses grow.

Boost is helping Lancashire businesses. We have a range of funded support programmes and a team of business advisers you can talk to. To speak to someone from the Growth Hub about business support, contact Boost online or call 0800 488 0057.