What Does it Take to Lead?

Successful business owners have some key characteristics that set them apart from the crowd.n nUse the following list to see what skills you already have and which ones you may need to develop to be more effective:n n1. Flexibilityn nBusiness rarely happens the way you expect. Markets change, customers change, suppliers change. Leaders know that change is inevitable, and they learn to expect it. Being flexible can not only work in your favor and reduce your stress levels-it can put you ahead of more rigid competitors.n n2. Goal Orientationn nEntrepreneurs have specific goals for success. They know what they want and make plans for getting where they want to be. Think about the goals you have for your business. Do you know how you'll achieve them? What plan do you have in place to make it happen? What people or partners do you need to move faster? Successful business owners envision an end game and actively manage the plan to get there.n n3. Smart Risk Takingn nLeaders aren't afraid to take a leap. They know that to get somewhere, they need to take some risks. But good leaders learn before they leap, so they can take a smart risk, not a foolish one.n n4. Self Confidencen nYou can't expect others to believe in your vision if you don't believe in yourself. Winning entrepreneurs know that they can make a difference and that they have the skills to do so. Have confidence in what you do and what you say in order to inspire those around you.n n5. Resourcefulnessn nIf you want something done fast or on a shoestring budget, ask a small business owner! Winning entrepreneurs are masters at building a rolodex of people, partners, and places that can do what they can't do alone. They bring creativity to finding solutions for any problem, big or small.n n6. Open to Feedbackn nYou put so much heart and soul into your work that it's sometimes hard to take suggestions for improvement. Don't people understand how much it took to get where you are?n nNo doubt you've thought hard about how to build your business, but winners know that they're not always right. Sometimes criticisms can be more powerful than compliments, and leaders know that both are essential to be the best.