We all know that to be successful and profitable business owners we need to manage our businesses effectively. However, what some of us have failed to realise is that success and profitability are also determined by the way we focus on maximising our businesses potential through the way we lead. This blog aims to explore and introduce simple strategies for focusing on and improving how you manage and lead your business, the inherent differences between them and the importance of doing both effectively. Managing and leading as women being women — and not falling into the trap of behaving like a man!
Clear Vision of Desired Future Results
As business owners, having a clear vision of the results, or the desired future state you want to have is fundamental to success. Most often, we compose some kind of loose or structured plan which outlines what we need to Do to take us there. We then organise and manage our business assets through efficient processes and systems, which we then monitor and control. Management is about doing things right!
Leadership is about doing the right things!
Whilst being so busy focusing on this, some business owners neglect to consider is who they are Being: how they are impacting, through their mindsets and behaviours, on themselves and their potential to be effective. They pay insufficient attention and lack intention as to what they are doing to impact and interact positively with others to ensure sustainable business success. It requires a fundamental choice to decide who you are willing to Be as a Leader! Once you decide who you are willing to Be, it’s easy to always Do the right things to Have what you want! From my business consulting and executive coaching experience, without exception, those women who have the courage to take the time out to make this kind of choice as a Leader, find it much easier to do the things necessary to be a good Manager. Sadly, one of the biggest issues facing most women in business is balancing Doing with Being. If you have ever been close to, or actually experienced burn out, you know what it means, to feel somehow, out of balance!
Personal Mission Statement for 2012
So to take the first key step towards establishing or regaining some balance, take some time out to compose your Personal Mission Statement for 2012.
Consider and answer these three questions:
- What kind of business (or future) do I want to Have?
- Who do I need to Be to create that kind of business (or future)?
- What do I have to Do: what are the key strategies and actions plans I need to implement to Have what I want and to Be who I want to Be?
Good luck. It’s a worthwhile exercise to complete at the start of an exciting New Year!
