ARE YOU A LEADER?

As a small business owner, do you ever struggle with the idea that you are a leader?  Most advisors start focused on the client work, and as they become more successful, their practice evolves and expands into a bona fide small business. Does their mindset keep up with that evolution?  

When do you become a leader? Is it when you hire your first staff member or when you have a team of a certain size? 

Realistically, many advisors never really become leaders. Many advisors just see their staff as minions to make their lives easier. They get confused as to why they struggle with turnover so much. They never learn to truly lead. 

I like Randall Stutman's definition of a leader, "Leaders make people and things better."   

Being a leader is not about having a title, being the owner, or having a position of power over other people. Being a leader is about having a mission, an intention, to make things and people better. 

A leader isn't just focused on getting the mission accomplished; they are also stewards of the people in their care. On the way to success, they want to help each person develop and grow into the best version of themselves.  

They also want to make things better. As an advisor, if you hustle yourself to high production numbers, but leave a trail of chaos in your wake, are you a leader? 

A leader is looking to improve how they do business as they are doing business. They take the long view and are constantly looking to make things better. If the team trips up on a project, they take the time to dissect what happened and build processes to improve future performance for the benefit of all.  

Are you a leader? Do you consistently take action to make the people around you and the things within your sphere of influence better? 

The great thing about Randall's definition of leadership is that anyone can be a leader at any point in their career.   

-A young advisor who consistently works to document and improves processes for the team is a leader.  

-A staff member who is mentoring and coaching other team members is a leader.  

-An advisor who takes the development of each staff member seriously is a leader.  

This definition of leadership can be quiet and isn't always recognized by the world at large. It isn't about accolades or financial success. It can definitely contribute to those things, but often it will go unnoticed.   

This definition of leadership is about who you are and how you show up in the world every day.   

Are you a leader?  Do you make things and people better? 

With Purpose, 

-Lucila 

People who are serious about leadership surround themselves with other leaders and are on a personal/professional growth journey.