Beverlee Rasmussen CEC PCC Are you leading a business? Or do you just own a business?
I believe in the power of systems to free you up to work on your business, not in your business. This means getting you out of doing daily tasks and focusing on strategically growing your business and leading your team. Setting up a system is like going to the doctor for your annual checkup. We know we should, but somehow we never seem to get around to it.
As small business owners, the choice to put off building that payroll system (for example) isn’t the problem, it’s the symptom. You see, while you were busy pushing to keep your business afloat, you lost something very important. You lost your leadership. It’s not your fault, and you can get it back.
Lead the way
I was the first female Rotary Club president in our town. Every year, the international president picks a different theme. My theme was lead the way. As the leader of our business, we need to lead the way. If we don’t, we abdicate our leadership. We let things happen the way other people want them to happen and then it’s no longer our business. We have systems, but they’re not our systems so the business drifts into chaos.
How do you show up as a leader?
How you show up as a leader defines the kind of business you end up with—one that sets you free or one that enslaves you every hour of your day. You started your business because you crave freedom. That deep-seated desire could not be met as long as you were an employee. So you went in search of it on your own.
Yet if you’re like 80 percent of small business owners, you didn’t build freedom into your plan. You’re frustrated and angry about being trapped in your company, not realizing you have a choice to step up and be the leader that your business, your family, and you need yourself to be.
The benefits of leading a business
As the leader of your business, it’s your job to understand what drives you as a leader; to ensure that employees know what needs to be done to achieve your shared goals; to set no-compromise standards; to consistently fulfill your promises to customers; and to articulate, document, and share your vision. Do all this, and you will
- Feel inspired to do your best every day
- Take advantage of opportunities to grow your business
- Achieve meaningful goals regularly
- Have the confidence to make tough decisions
- Align your business practices with your values
- Stop managing people
- Build systems that free up your schedule (and your head space)
- Operate your business efficiently while generating more profit
- Pay yourself what you deserve
- Take care of yourself today and every day
- Spend quality time with your family
- Enjoy better health, less stress, and a company you are proud to call your own
Building an organized and profitable business that reaps rewards starts with you. Be the leader you wished you had as an employee, and you’ll own the business you’ve always dreamed of.
Until next time, enjoy your Entrepreneurial Journey!
The best small business book ever written!
This is an excerpt from my new book Small Business, Big Opportunity. In the book, I go into detail about what it means to be a leader and how you can grow as a business owner. You can buy your copy here!
