Better business leadership is an ongoing, constant process. The highest performing business leaders are always looking for ways to improve and grow. But this is easier said than done – even for those at the top. The prerequisite for any type of improvement is focus. And focus requires identifying key areas where you can maximize value, and ignoring all the rest. To that end, here are 3, just three, essential tips that can help business leaders improve themselves, their work, and their organizations.

Appreciate the Value of Communication

The busier business leaders become, and the more subordinates they have, the easier it gets to serve out orders without any context. Which makes sense – when your time is in high-demand you’re always looking for ways to cut down on the unnecessary.

But here’s the thing: Communicating with your team IS necessary. The value of one individual who understands not only what they’re supposed to do, but also WHY they’re supposed to do it is almost incalculable. Communicating with your people calmly and thoroughly on a consistent basis is an essential skill of top executives. The long-term result is a highly proficient team that only gets smarter and better with time…Make time to communicate with your team now, and it will certainly pay dividends later.

More on how to improve your professional communication skills

Busy business leaders can make more time for communicating with their teams by implementing the following strategies:

• Prioritize Communication: It is important for leaders to prioritize communication as a key aspect of their daily routine. This can be achieved by setting aside specific times for team meetings and one-on-one conversations with team members.
• Delegate Responsibilities: Leaders can delegate responsibilities to their team members to free up some of their time for communication. By delegating tasks, leaders can focus on building relationships with their team members and fostering open communication.
• Use Technology: Business leaders can leverage technology to communicate with their teams efficiently. Tools like video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaboration software can help leaders stay connected with their teams despite their busy schedules.
• Lead by Example: Leaders can demonstrate the importance of communication by leading by example. By prioritizing communication in their own actions, leaders can encourage their team members to do the same.
• Reduce Meeting Times: Leaders can make their meetings more efficient by reducing the time they spend in meetings. By setting clear agendas, limiting the number of participants, and staying on track, leaders can ensure that meetings are productive and do not take up too much of their time.

Overall, the key to making more time for communicating with their teams is for business leaders to prioritize communication and make it an integral part of their daily routine. By using technology, delegating responsibilities, leading by example, and reducing meeting times, leaders can build strong relationships with their teams and foster a culture of open communication.

Collaborate, and Ask for Help

One symptom of being a business leader is that people begin to think you have all the answers all the time. This is a dangerous place to be – not only as far as your own effectiveness, but also insofar as it relates to your team.

For better business leadership, top executives must not be afraid to ask for help. 

For high-performance sales teams and other business groups, it’s essential that everyone operates on a level of being able to quickly and easily ask for help on anything at any time. The only way for this collaborative practice to become a true part of the culture is for it to start at the top. When lower-level executives see that even their boss often raises his or her hand to ask for help, advice, and input, it puts them much more at ease and able to do so themselves.

Having a collaborative team creates synergy which is the epitome of “better together.” The best business leaders know that effective teams operate at a level of open collaboration, always.

Business leaders can encourage their teams to be more collaborative by implementing the following strategies:

• Establish Shared Goals: Leaders can encourage collaboration by setting shared goals that require input from multiple team members. When everyone is working towards a common objective, it creates a sense of unity and fosters collaboration.
• Provide Opportunities for Team Building: Top execs striving for better business leadership can organize team building activities to help team members get to know each other better and develop stronger relationships. This can include social events, team lunches, and other activities outside of the workplace.
• Encourage Open Communication: Leaders can create an environment that fosters open communication by encouraging team members to share their thoughts, ideas, and opinions freely. This can be achieved through regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and other forms of collaboration.
• Reward Collaboration: Leaders can incentivize collaboration by recognizing and rewarding team members who work well together and achieve shared goals. This can include bonuses, promotions, or other forms of recognition.
• Provide the Right Tools: Business leaders can provide their teams with the right tools to collaborate effectively. This can include communication tools like video conferencing software, collaboration software, and project management tools that facilitate team collaboration.

Nurture a Calm Mentality and Workplace

Calmness, even in the face of adversity, is strength. People natural respect and respond to this. Business leaders should always nurture a feeling of calm, both within themselves, and their organizations as a whole.

Learning how to calm your mind during stressful times is synonymous with learning how to make better decisions. Why? Because a mind that is calm can think more clearly and, thus, make better decisions. 

Business leaders can calm their minds and make better decisions by implementing the following strategies:

• Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and fully aware of one's thoughts and feelings. Business leaders can practice mindfulness through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or other techniques that help to calm the mind and reduce stress.
• Exercise: Regular exercise can help to reduce stress, boost mood, and improve cognitive function. Business leaders can incorporate physical activity into their daily routine, such as going for a walk, doing yoga, or hitting the gym.
• Prioritize Sleep: Yes, good sleep is essential for better business leadership. Being properly rested means maintaining focus, reducing stress, and making better decisions. Business leaders should prioritize sleep by establishing a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing sleep environment.
• Take Breaks: Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help to reduce stress and improve focus. Business leaders should take short breaks to rest their minds and recharge their batteries.
• Practice Time Management: Effective time management can help business leaders to reduce stress and make better decisions. Leaders should prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities where possible, to avoid feeling overwhelmed and making hasty decisions.
• Seek Support: Talking to a mentor, coach, or therapist can provide business leaders with support and guidance when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. This can help to reduce stress and improve decision-making.

Professional Development | Popl

There you have it, 3 essential skills leaders can cultivate and grow for better business leadership. Follow these tips to improve yourself, your team, and your organization. Remember, it all starts one step at a time. Change the way you think slowly, change your behaviors in an iterative way, and cultivate the skills of communication, collaboration, and calm, and you’re on the road to success.

---

More professional development

• How to Improve Your Professional Communication Skills