There was a time when if you wanted to set up your own business, you worked for someone else first, earned your stripes, and then went out on your own. That was the general rule. Walking out of school and setting up your own venture without any prior business experience was an exception. But rules are meant to be broken in today’s VUCA world.
The young truly understand that ideas are the currency of today. You need to get to market quick. The ability to reach consumers through the internet has emboldened the young to try their hand. But though some are winning (and we hear a lot about them), there are many who aren’t.
Young innovators and entrepreneurs are learning business skills on the hop. Staff management, sales, product development, marketing, branding. Trying to out manoeuvre competition that lays it on thick and fast. It can be a brutal lesson in survival.
What is often overlooked in the success equation is the importance of good leadership. At the very core, a successful business needs a captain with the right leadership principles. Here are some starters:
- Winning is important because it perpetuates self-belief. It’s a law of attraction.
- Authority is earned. The more you win, the more authority you have. If you try to exert authority that isn’t yours, you’ll see trouble.
- If you want to win, start within. The success of many companies was built on the leadership of the captain at the helm. Improve your leadership skills. Find out where you need work, then practice, practice, practice.
- Look for quick improvements by making changes that require 20% work but make 80% difference.
- Surround yourself with people with drive and ambition. People who know how to win. People who can’t accept losing. Hire leaders, not followers.
- Believe in the impossible.
