Many students in business school look forward to graduation and the lucrative opportunities afforded to them by entrepreneurship. Owning a business is both tough and gratifying. I have been fortunate enough to work with supervisors, bosses, and CEO’s who have possessed some of or all of these qualities. If you feel starting a company is in your future, developing the following qualities will be extremely useful:
2. Friendly: It’s tough to work someone who feels like an oppressive tyrant. Being friendly inspires employee loyalty and encourages those you supervise to work better.
3. Assertive: While it’s good to be friendly, it is equally important to make sure your employees know that you expect work out of them. Although your employees have the right to work in an environment where they are respected, you have the right to expect hard work on their part.
4. Creative: The challenges that arise as a CEO will require a great deal of hard work and creativity. Being willing and able to think outside of the box is a must. Business success often hinges upon both your ability to both produce a quality product or service and to prove why it is different or better than a competitor’s product or service.
5. Takes calculated risks: Every CEO has to take risks. Whether that risk be in hiring a new director of marketing or in implementing her new marketing campaign. It is your job to weigh the risks and costs with the potential benefits and outcomes. Developing a feel for what’s worth it and what’s not is essential.
6. Learns from mistakes: Sometimes you will make mistakes. The difference between a good leader and a bad leader is often their ability to learn from those mistakes. You can’t eliminate your humanity from your company, but you can use that human ingenuity to better your future performance.
7. Accountable: When mistakes are made, it is important to own up to them. Although you may not have any superiors in the company food chain, you have a responsibility to those you work for to be accountable for company mishaps that are your fault.
8. Sets high expectations: As I mentioned earlier, it is OK to expect your workers to work. It is also necessary for them to know what you expect of them. Set company goals. If it is a large company, it will be necessary to have supervisors set goals for smaller teams. Having a direction for your company is important.
9. Communicates: Once you have expectations for your company, you’ll need to communicate them. It is necessary to establish a solid communications system in your company. Good communications can unite your business and create a strong sense of community.
10. Sense of humor: You will have good days and bad days. Keeping a good sense of humor can help your employees when they are feeling down. It will also help you to deal with the stresses of managing a company.
About the Author: Stephen Sharpe is a writer working for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers is a site completely dedicated to finding the best online colleges that are available for prospective students.
