A Great Leader Guides!

A leader is a person who guides others toward a common goal, showing the way by example, and creating an environment in which other team members feel actively involved in the entire process. A leader is not the boss of the team but, instead, the person that is committed to carrying out the mission of the Venture. Below are some qualities a strong leader may possess.

Qualities of a Leader

Good Listener:

Your teammates may have a great way to improve your idea. By keeping your mind open to other ideas, you can come up with new ways to accomplish your goals. It is your job to make sure that everyone in the group is being heard. Listen to their ideas and accept their constructive criticisms.

Focused:

Constantly remind yourself and the group of your Venture’s goals and mission. If you stay on track and keep others on track, the team will stay motivated and be more productive. As leader of the group, it is important that you schedule time to meet with your Venture Team to establish and check-in about the goals you hope to achieve.

Organized:

A leader can set the tone for the team. A leader who is organized helps motivate team members to be organized as well.

Available:

As a leader, you’re responsible for a lot and you’re probably going to be very busy at times. However, you still need to find time to talk with your team. A good way to do this is to set frequent group meetings, so that no question or concern goes too long without attention.

Include others:

A leader should not do all the work. Doing everything yourself is a poor use of time and prevents your Venture from growing. Instead, a leader should work with his/her teammates and learn how to delegate responsibility while being mindful of everyone’s interests, goals, and strengths.

Decisive:

Although an important part of being a leader involves listening to the people around you, remember that you are not always going to be able to reach a compromise. When this happens, don’t be afraid to make the final decision, even if some team members disagree with you.

Confident:

This could be the most important characteristic of a leader. If you don’t believe in yourself and the success of your Venture, no one else will. Show others that you are dedicated, intelligent, and proud of what you are doing.