Tag: business

Imposter Syndrome

On June 29, 2017

Disbelief is our natural response to most situations. From “Should I get a pet?” to “Can I run this business?”, doubts come in every form and are probably more diverse than the entire insect species. In fact, we have also learned to give a person the benefit of the doubt that we’re having!

Doubt Isn’t Out – How It Affect Entrepreneurs

Naturally enough, as leaders are only humans, they can get as doubtful as anyone. So much so that they become uncertain of the success they have achieved. Entrepreneurs have been known to suffer from conditions such as “imposter syndrome”, in which they believe to have conned people into thinking that they’re deserving of the accomplishment of their businesses.

As the imposter syndrome isn’t restricted to the sharks of the business world, it can also affect you. Want to learn how to build the confidence that’s infectious? Read on.

Stay Away From The Imposter Syndrome

Here are a few points to keep in mind if you know that you suffer from the imposter syndrome, for a while:

Acceptance: You just found out that you’re suffering from imposter syndrome. Fine — own it. Now that you know having negative thoughts is only a symptom of your condition, you should be prepared to fight against them. Let the feeling of inadequacy become an inspiration for you to work harder and achieve more.

Introspection: It’s the success that’s making you doubt your position, isn’t it? So, take some time to retrace your path to becoming a sensation from your start as a garage business. When you remember all the struggles and the way you navigated your business through the tough times, you’d be a lot easier on yourself.

Keep updating your CV: Making a list is always helpful. When you’ve written down all your accomplishments, it’s becomes more believable. Update your resume whenever possible to keep a tab of how you led your startup to stardom.

Let go: Competitiveness is desirable but not a necessity. Stop trying to fit into other entrepreneurs’ shoes. It’s not healthy to keep a track of what every other business is doing. Also, try not to beat yourself down for a few mistakes. You can’t always win, relentlessly!

Don’t try to time-travel: Don’t keep looking back over your shoulder; it’s going to affect your leadership qualities. Missed opportunities won’t return; maybe it’s good to learn from your mistakes by analyzing past situations in a new light, but don’t obsess about your shortcomings.

Doubt is only a feeling; it isn’t reality or a hallucination. It’s like an omen; since we’ve progressed from believing in superstitions, let’s get over doubt (and subsequently the imposter syndrome) in the same way.

How to Develop Leadership Within Your Company

By Nicole Monturo

On December 15, 2016

In Leadership, Nicole Monturo

If you manage employees, you probably noticed an innate blaze, that spark of leadership jump to life in at least a few of them. You’ve seen who takes charge when presented with an unfamiliar situation, and who successfully improvises when existing guidelines are too ambiguous to fully apply. You’ve witnessed your people show skill in visualizing goals and developing comprehensive strategies, and you know they have no trouble examining ideas from every relevant angle.

I’ve written before on important leadership lessons managers might take to heart if they want to see their business bloom. One essential tactic all managers would do well to master is how to multiply in number; how to create more of their kind. Good managers have a responsibility to guide great employees into the experience and techniques needed to succeed in a leadership position.

Facilitating your workers’ journey from greenhorn to leader can be daunting; it requires a level of willingness and mutual trust that takes time to develop. Helping employees come into their potential is far from impossible, however, and this list of three major strategies to keep in mind when developing your team from hard workers to capable leaders is sure to ease the learning process for all involved.

Foster employees’ networking skills

Leaders have to be comfortable speaking and sharing ideas with strangers on a regular basis. Offering opportunities for networking within your own company allows for development of that effortless finesse for communication all great leaders possess, and bringing employees along to networking events will build them a formidable list of industry contacts.

Keep a steady flow of feedback

Employees will never learn to identify and correct missteps if they are never told when they are misstepping. Criticism is never easy, especially when it has to come from you, but it is essential. And if your leaders-in-training have what it takes, they will realize the value in having a forum where concerns from both parties can be voiced and addressed.

Don’t Hold Hands

We don’t grow from being constantly shielded. In the thick of struggle is where the capable evolve and succeed, and failure is just another opportunity to discover what went wrong. The fundamentals of growth hold just as true in a professional setting as anywhere else. Do your employees a favor, and tear off those training wheels.

Build employees’ ownership mentality

Any amount of leadership training will mean nothing if a trainee doesn’t feel individually powerful enough to act like a leader. Allowing prospective leaders to handle decisions and giving them a bit more authority over business affairs demonstrates your faith in them, and reinforces their faith in you as a mentor.

What this all boils down to is rather simple: just be considerate of your employees’ positions. Think of how it was for you, when you were mastering the managerial ropes; think of what your teacher(s) did well, and how they could’ve improved. Believe in yourself: you have the knowledge and the experience needed to foster great leaders, now all you need is time.

Five Leadership Lessons to Help Your Business Boom

By Nicole Monturo

On November 16, 2016

In Leadership, Nicole Monturo

Leadership is not only a skill, it’s an art. It takes practice, patience and perseverance. If you’ve committed to working hard and realized what it takes to be a leader, you will become a great one. Businesses need good leaders in order to ensure the success and growth of the business. Successful leaders are able to motivate and inspire others to make a positive impact through sharing ideas and inspiration. Here are the top five lessons I’ve learned about leading.

Team Work

The biggest factor that I stress within the workplace is teamwork. Many people don’t realize that teamwork is essential in a successful business. A lot of leaders tend to get too caught up in their work, and forget that they have a team of people who are focused on the same goals and objectives as you are. A true leader never forgets about their team mates. A leader tends to refer their projects as “we” and not “I”. Establishing a team oriented community will allow members to complete their tasks in their roles, overall establishing a relationship and trust.

Encouragement

As Jack Welch once said, “ Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” Leadership is like being a mentor within your team. It is important to encourage others within the workplace to establish a relationship in which your team members will learn and grow by speaking their minds. Through encouragement, members are able to learn better through establishing a sense of self-esteem and confidence when they know that they have someone who supports them.

Investing In Yourself (and Others)

The most important thing you must do is to constantly invest in yourself, so that you can invest in others. As leaders, we are always learning and growing. Education never ends, therefore it is essential to find a way to invest in yourself. Anything that allows you to learn and practice new things is an investment. Investing in yourself will allow you to invest in those around you. Part of the leadership role is to teach others and help them grow. You’ll be able to pass on information that will be resourceful to others and create an overall community of thriving people.

Trust

Trust is an important matter that goes both ways. As a leader, you should trust your members to do their work and come to you with any challenges or problems, but those around you should trust you as well. You can gain others’ trust by always keeping your word and being a transparent person. You will encourage others by doing the same and creating an overall establishment of trust that will lead to success.

Listening

Listening is a huge aspect when it comes to establishing a relationship made of trust. People can hear you talk all day, but it’s important to give them a chance to speak their minds that are full with ideas. Listening can also benefit you to think of new ideas and help solve problems. It also shows your that you care. Listening is an essential role that comes with the responsibilities of leadership.