Leadership comes with an array of duties and responsibilities, and with the right advice and guidance, it can be smooth sailing. Business maverick Natalie Dawson knows more than a thing or two about being a boss and shares her tips to help any business leader succeed. Read on to learn more.
Running a business is no easy task. And no matter how little or how much experience you have, there’s always something to learn or improve. You may be under the impression that to be a “good leader” you have to ensure your entire organization loves you. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s human nature to aim to be liked by others because it proves to us that we’re doing something right.
But when you’re running a business, likability should be last on your priority list.
There will be many moments during your role when a tough decision is required, even if it means making people dislike you at the moment. And this is ok. In fact, it’s encouraged because, in the long run, their momentary dislike will transpire into respect—if it’s warranted of course. Standing for your business is part of your job. After all, if you prioritize being liked by others more than how you operate your company, chances are you may get lost along the way.
According to Forbes, when you lead it’s necessary to stand up for your values despite what others may think or feel… This is something that Natalie Dawson preaches herself.
“Don’t hold your team back by wanting to be the likable boss. It’s not your team’s fault they’re stuck; your people problems are your fault,” she emphasizes. Truth can be a hard pill to swallow, but the benefits are worth the bitter taste.
The more comfortable you become with being uncomfortable the stronger your business will be—advice Dawson used to her advantage. And the result? A booming empire.
Natalie Dawson is a podcast host, best-selling author, entrepreneur, Co-Founder and President of Operations at Cardone Ventures, and an expert in developing people and building scalable teams. Throughout the course of her career, she’s hired, trained, and led thousands of employees, giving her more than enough credibility to her name, making her the ideal individual to seek guidance from.
But the journey to the top wasn’t linear for Dawson. Like most entrepreneurs, roadblocks are bound to arise. It’s how you navigate through them that proves your leadership abilities. And if you’re constantly striving to be liked by your team, those roadblocks are going to continue piling up.
So whether or not you’re questioning your leadership tactics, heed Dawson’s advice. It’s always a good idea to examine a different perspective:
- Have A Clear Mission Statement
“In the simplest of terms, your mission statement is your ‘why’. It should succinctly be able to answer the question: why does my company exist?” Dawson says. “This statement should be the heartbeat behind why you and your team have decided to show up to work each and every day.”
As a leader, it’s necessary to understand your mission and ensure it’s translated throughout the entire organization. Now more than ever, consumers are more likely to interact with purpose-driven companies, so if you’re lacking one, this should be your first step.
Regardless of what others think, even fellow team members, your business is yours, so take charge and lead with a clear mission statement. The journey is not easy. If it were, everyone would have it figured out. But running a business requires hard work and mental fortitude to ensure everything you’re working toward remains aligned with your values and purpose. One of the surest ways a business will fail is one lacking those aspects.
- Always Be Transparent With Your Team
“People always question and ponder over why their team is stuck,” Dawson discusses, and it’s because “you’re not clarifying how they are aligned with the business, helping them develop, allowing them to have success, as well as showing them what transition or progress looks like.”
In the face of adversity, never falter. The same can be said for transparency with your team members. You should avoid hiding or keeping “secrets” within your business as it can lead to misinterpretations of dubious activity, a lack of connection, and an unreliable work culture.
Secrecy can also be a sign of weakness if you attempt to refrain from sharing information to appease people. Even if transparency may cost you likability, it defines your character as a leader and builds trust, accountability, and respect.
There’s always the possibility of data leaking or undisclosed knowledge arising, so it’s best to be upfront as soon as possible to limit the repercussions of secretiveness.
- Define Your Values
Whatever values you want to uphold within your business, your team should be aware of them. Even if they’re not agreed upon by everyone, you’re responsible for ensuring your entire organization is on the same page.
“To build a truly high-performing culture, you have to have clear boundaries that you use as the foundation of what behavior you want and what won’t be tolerated,” Dawson discusses.
Leadership involves making tough calls and challenging decisions, but it’s your job to do so. Part of running any successful business requires confidence, dedication, and conviction. Not everyone is going to be on your side, but what matters most is how you handle those against you. At the end of the day, your business’s core values are the priority.
Become the leader you’ve always dreamed of and MORE with the guidance of Natalie Dawson. Visit her website today and follow her on Instagram to keep up with her journey.
Written in partnership with Mindful Agency
