An entrepreneur offers insights for triumphant leadership
Stephen Bartlett — businessman, writer, BBC Dragon, and presenter of “The Diary of a CEO” podcast — is one of the UK's most esteemed corporate leaders. Here, he uncovers some components of his victorious journey.
Exceptional leaders permit their team to thrive. They comprehend when to withdraw and, above all, are alert to when their self-importance is getting in the way. Empower your team to expand, and triumph will ensue.
However, there's more to prosperity than proficient leadership. Whether you're commanding a global corporation or just beginning your professional journey, these tips have consistently aided my professional and personal evolution.
“Manage your time judiciously”
1. Your time is a non-renewable resource — utilise it sensibly
The single most impactful determinant of your future situation is how you choose to spend your time.
This doesn't mean every minute must be scheduled or pre-determined. I've never adhered to the rigid 5:30 am routine, involving the gym, a cold shower, and reading a book. I don't even rely on an alarm clock.
Whilst it's vital to utilise your time wisely, in a world obsessed with the 'perfect routine' and often taking time management courses, never undervalue the significance of living spontaneously, being present, and taking risks.
Regardless of time constraints, find moments to consistently grow and develop new entrepreneur skills, whether you're commuting or at the hairdresser.
2. Success is 5% intellect, 95% consistency — along with a substantial amount of resilience
Gradual tweaks can considerably impact a business or a team's success. Being an entrepreneur, I am convinced that success is 5% intellect and 95% consistency. Maintaining consistent brand identity and messaging gives you a competitive advantage.
Effective work is the aggregation of numerous minuscule details. Being detail-oriented pays off, whether in daily operations or your upcoming marketing campaign — the most successful individuals I know all pay attention to the fine print.
Resilience is imperative in business. In every organisation, there will come a day when everything seems to fall apart — that day invariably comes — and it might feel easier to quit.
Keep in mind, individuals who aren't as committed to your business won't be as engaged or devoted as you are. Some might anticipate your failure. You'll need a tremendous amount of resilience to overcome this.
3. Shift from traditional to novel and progressive approaches
The enticing option when facing a challenge like building a business is to comply with traditional methods.
Tradition dictates a 9 am start, penalising late arrivals, and providing a 25-day annual leave.
However, the world has fundamentally shifted, and work expectations have evolved alongside it, primarily due to social media.
Discovering the core truth in any scenario is crucial. Times have changed and individuals need to adopt innovative and progressive solutions for continued growth.
For instance, if your employees appreciate their work, they'll strive harder to retain their position. If I employ reliable individuals and offer them flexibility, they'll be more content. Happier employees work harder, serving our clients better. If they serve our clients better, our business will flourish.
4. Perceiving audience preferences isn't as challenging as it seems
Audience research is frequently overcomplicated. You can either directly ask people or conduct surveys and focus groups, or you can test and experiment. We employ both strategies. With data-driven experiments, you quickly discern what's working and what's not.
For creativity and inspiration, seek tranquillity and solitude, not stress and cooperation.
Allow your values to guide you, not fleeting trends. The cultural landscape is continuously evolving, propelled by new platforms, algorithm modifications, and trends. Do not let passing fads dictate your decisions. Instead, adhere to your values and let data guide you.
For example, when considering new social networks, I strive to comprehend what the platform offers the user. Stories that inspire and are fun to consume are effective — clever, viral mechanics that captivate you and deliver a timely message for a generation unfamiliar with a particular concept.
5. Good ideas require time to evolve
My most innovative ideas have surfaced during gym sessions, leisure walks, or showers — not during brainstorming sessions, at an office, or in a group setting.
For creativity and inspiration, seek tranquillity, solitude, and a clear mind, not stress, noise, and collaboration.
If you aspire to master anything that holds importance for you, create a 'someday shelf' in your mind. When a promising idea comes along, don't try to wedge it in with existing plans. Place it on the 'someday shelf' and see if it continues to haunt you after six months or a year. If it still beckons you, bring it to the forefront and give it the effort it deserves.
6. The most impactful campaigns can cost nothing
The most unforgettable marketing campaign, in my opinion, has to be Starbucks and their strategy of inscribing customer names on their cups. This is a brilliant example of cost-free marketing.
This campaign may not be widely recognised, but it caters to the consumer's ego and urges them to share on their social media. It's unpaid content and it leads the way for user-generated campaigns and marketing strategies that yield significant results with a minimal budget.
