What talents does it take to be a great leader? Every small business owner wants to know the answer to this question.

On the Small Business Radio Show this week, I talked with Barry Conchie who is the founder and president of Conchie Associates and author of “The Five Talents That Really Matter: How Great Leaders Drive Extraordinary Performance”, with his business partner Sarah Dalton. He is an expert in psycho-metric talent assessments, leadership research and development, team building, and succession planning.

Setting Direction

Strategic Planning: Leaders must define the long-term value they aim to create and establish medium- to short-term goals to guide their organizations.

Effective Communication: Clear communication of the vision and goals to team members is crucial for alignment and motivation.

Harnessing Energy

Self-Drive: Great leaders possess an inherent drive and passion for their work.

Inspiring Teams: Leaders should create an engaging and enjoyable work environment where employees feel motivated to contribute.

Exerting Pressure

Influence and Engagement: Effective leaders involve their teams in discussions and decision-making processes, rather than issuing orders from a distance.

Respect and Involvement: Leaders should respect their team members and engage them in the vision and goals of the organization.

Building Connectivity

Strong Relationships: Leaders must foster strong relationships within their organizations, valuing team members and investing in their development.

Culture of Collaboration: Creating a supportive and collaborative culture is essential for team success in the short and long term.

Controlling Traffic

Managing Complexity: Leaders must manage complexity and adapt to unexpected challenges, similar to air traffic controllers at airports.

Flexibility and Systems: Establishing systems and processes while remaining flexible to handle unforeseen circumstances is key.

Listen to the entire interview on The Small Business Radio Show with Barry Conchie on improving your leadership skills.

This article, “The Five Talents of Great Leaders” was first published on Small Business Trends