Leadership Top Tips - from Great Business Leaders

While many people start out in their careers with clear goals and aspirations, many more evolve into new roles and find themselves in positions where they are expected to motivate and lead others. Not because they are naturally great leaders or motivators, but more often because they are competent and reliable staff. So how do you make the shift from follower to leader. Simon Senik’s view is that leadership is a learnable and practice-able skill and great leaders never stop learning. “Act like a student. Not like an expert.” (Simon Senik – British-American author, motivational speaker and marketing consultant). Sinek compares leading to being a parent, stating that you’ll never be an expert parent, but you keep practicing every day in the hope that you’ll get better!

We have compiled 10 top tips from business leaders and advisors that may help you when you are trying to get the best out of your crew or unsure of the best way to handle a situation. Have a read through, and we hope that by using one of these top tips you will overcome the challenge and grow as a leader.

Never forget your responsibility – you are the caregiver of the people you lead. “Think of leadership as a responsibility as much as an opportunity, effective leaders understand that they are responsible for everyone that they are leading.” Michael Talve – Founder of The Expert Institute. The key here is in the word caregiver, the attitude with which you lead others is paramount.

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” Jack Welch, CEO and Author. There are a few senior crew who resist passing on their knowledge, for fear of losing their position. However, the leaders admired and respected the most (and work hardest for) are those who share their experiences and want to support you to become the best you can be.

In the words of Sir Richard Branson CEO “Train people well enough so that they can leave, treat them well enough so that they don’t want to”.

“Be honest and candid while still maintaining your employees’ self-esteem.” Jeff Miller, Director of Learning & Performance. Stand in the other person’s shoes before you deliver your message and ensure it lands with the “right” intention.

Show gratitude. “Never underestimate the importance of the words ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Using them demonstrates a level of respect that people desire and appreciate, which can help build trust.” Michael Timmes – consultant, author and speaker. Just because it’s someone’s job, doesn’t mean we cannot treat them with courtesy and respect.

Be a confident leader, not an arrogant leader “Confident leaders lead through values, vision and vulnerability. Arrogant leaders lead through fear, blame and ego.” Troy Hazard TV host & businessman. Listen to your people, be empathetic and understand their views. You never know they may have a better idea!

Find great people, then leave them to get on with the job. “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” Theodore Roosevelt – US President

“Repeat the words, ‘it’s not about me!’ every day, multiple times a day. Don’t make your leadership about being in charge, being right, getting promoted or looking the best.” Jeff Harmon – Author. His view is that leadership is about the purpose and vision of the business and serving the people you lead.

“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It's got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet.” Reverend Theodore Hesburgh. If you want to unite your crew and departments, you need a single vision for the yacht that everyone buys into. If two departments’ priorities come into conflict you can revisit your vision and answer the question, what should we do to strive towards the vision?

“Authentic leadership is revealed in the alignment of what you think, what you say and what you do.” Michael Holland -  Consultant and Author. People can see through “fake”, be honest with yourself and your crew. It’s not about sharing your deepest secrets, but it is about leading with integrity and being true to both yourself and those around you.

Impact Crew specialises in developing Superyacht leaders, whether through individualised coaching or on board workshops for your senior crew. Give Impact Crew a call and explore the many different ways we can support you as you grow in your leadership role.