Becoming an entrepreneur is a dream come true for many, as it is a way for you to build a better and more financially stable future. But before any entrepreneur could get to that level of success, there would be many challenges along the way, which is why you should also consider the people you’re building your business with. And for you to have the best team, you also need to lead and inspire them to become the employees they need to be. But how can you do that?
How to Lead and Inspire at the Same Time
Leading and inspiring is not a typical combination for some entrepreneurs, as it could be challenging to find the right balance between the two. Some people are wired only to become team leaders without putting much effort into inspiring their employees. But there are many ways that you can try to become more inspiration, and here are some of them:
1. You should encourage your employees to express themselves.
Your employees are three-dimensional beings as well—they have problems and aspirations that drive them to become better at what they do. By interacting with them and encouraging them to express themselves in the workplace would motivate them more. No matter what kind of business you’re running—whether you’re managing an online shop like Amazon, a company offering warehouse management solutions, or a small brick and mortar shop—you should allow some time for everyone in your workplace to exchange ideas and get creative. In addition, having a short meeting after every last shift of the week to talk about their workloads and plans for the weekend would do wonders. You could even have lunch or dinner together, or even a weekend trip, so everyone in your office could get to know each other.
Once you know your employees better, you will know what you can do to motivate them. Maybe some of them have side hustles as artists, or maybe they own a small business, and you can allow them to talk about this thing they care about or even find ways for them to incorporate their other interests in your business. If anything bothers them, a small friendly conversation can also help so that your employees know that you care about their well-being besides what they can bring to the table.
2. You should be more flexible.
Every business would experience different challenges now and then, and being flexible and showing that you can adjust your business to the changing times would inspire your employees. Try not to show that you are pressured—even if working under pressure is considered a skill, it would be counterproductive for you and your employees. On the other hand, if your company is doing good, then be grateful for it. You can commend employees who are working hard and encourage others to do the same.
Don’t forget to remind some of your employees that taking time off work to have a short vacation to do whatever they want to feel better and more relaxed would also help them recharge. The times are changing, and mental health is at the center of most conversations these days, so show that you are flexible to this change and understand the need for your employee to prioritize theirs. Even if your employees are passionate about their jobs, they will eventually feel tired and burned out, so it would be wise to take some time off work before that happens.
3. You should remind yourself of your goals.
What makes a company unique is its mission and vision, and it’s easy to lose focus when you don’t feel the pressure or when your goals get sidetracked by newer opportunities. When these scenarios happen, it will help if you take a step back and remind yourself what your original intention and motivation were when you started your business. Ask yourselves some important questions, like “Are my current objectives still in line with my original goals?” and if your answer is yes, then you should ask yourself if this new goal is a new one you want to pursue with your team. If not, then you can realign your focus.
Be Courageous, Be Passionate, and Be Inspirational
It takes courage and passion for leading, and it takes a lot to become an inspirational leader, and it’s something that doesn’t happen overnight. As long as you’re open to changes and you want to do more than lead, then you can become the leader you aspire to be.