Explore 5 Principles Every Business Leader Follows

Good companies require exceptional leaders. Individuals who stand out in this regard usually apply a very similar set of principles, making a few key philosophies the heart of their operations.

Identifying leadership not only in the workplace but outside of it too is essential to successful companies such as the San Diego based UE.co. This marketing service company believes in investing in young community leaders. Empowering strong leadership principles at a young age will only benefit future work environments. Through a 500-word essay, UE.co will identify a candidate who exemplifies skilled leadership morals for their Community Scholarship.

Below, UE.co identifies the top five principles outstanding leaders follow:

1. Leadership is not a position, but a behavior

Employees will determine the quality of their leader based on the leader’s attitude, actions, and practice. It is crucial for leaders to know what behaviors are most useful to empower others, bring proactive change, and make ethically sound decisions.

Setting an example is a valid principle that leaders follow. Leaders who practice what they preach can deliver their message to employees more successfully. Rather than asking employees to approach obstacles with courage and motivation for success, show them how to do so through actions, and the results will fall in line. 

2. Leadership should focus on the people

Without the people, there is no leader. One of the most prominent principles of a constructive leader is excellent communication skills. Successful communication with employees requires good listening skills during a conversation. When an employee feels heard, it not only shows a leader cares for the individual, but it instills empowerment, as well.

3. Improvement is a continuous process 

Employees make mistakes; it is a part of human nature. However, mistakes provide an opportunity for advancement. A leader who admits mistakes reflects wisdom and exemplifies learning and growing from daily experiences.

Influential leaders demonstrate through their actions and behaviors how a constant motivation to grow and improve as an individual will allow them to reach their fullest potential.

4. Leadership is not about power, but about influence

Before an employee can understand a leader’s vision, they have to be willing to trust their leader, first. A good leader’s priority is not to establish dominance or authority over his or her team, but rather to influence them to follow. Employees who want to support their team leaders are more likely to bring more to the table. 

5. Delegate strengths 

Great leaders build stable platforms and strive for ongoing change and improvement from it. They effectively accomplish that by enabling people to find and use their greatest strengths.

Once an employee identifies his or her strengths in the workplace, leaders delegate tasks that utilize that individual’s creative characteristics. “An innovative leader recognizes what strengths people have and what weaknesses need tackling to execute a vision,” said UE.co. Through delegating weak areas to employees with vital solution strengths, the production level of any project will proactively increase