It is no secret that business is a competitive field and success in the corporate world does not come easy. You have to have robust determination, courage, and the ability to persevere. The fact remains that if you want to build something that can endure the test of time, a business that inspires, you can’t continue your entrepreneurial journey alone. So, develop 360-degree thinking and embrace the connection that it brings. After all, underneath all competition is a need for collaboration across all levels, as business is inherently a human endeavor.People are, and have always been, the linchpin to success in business, which is why it is vital to note their potential and be a strategic leader that can navigate through the thick and thin:Harness the power of peopleIn my experience, entrepreneurs who harness the power of people, relationships, and teamwork to advance their vision have always been the most successful ones. These leaders are humble visionaries who have a clear view of the ideal future they want to work towards, and the role people play to help achieve it.
Maintain an emotional connectionA leader that adopts a hands-on approach and is deeply involved in a project with his team members from start to finish serves as an inspiration for others to follow in his path. He becomes a reliable and approachable comrade, one that will extend a helping hand to help others reach the summit. He is also one that recognizes obstacles, analyses the best course of action, and implements solutions so that every member is able to perform their respective role with precision, which ultimately contributes to the lifeline of the business.Leaders that nurture an emotional connection also choose people over profit, a mark of immense courage and resilience that is ultimately rewarded with loyalty. When we are good to people in good times and stick with them in bad times, people are good to us in bad times and stick with us in good times.Take inspiration from success storiesThere are many examples of such leaders in the modern business world, and we can clearly see how this people-first entrepreneurial approach has served them and their businesses well.Bob Chapman, CEO of US-based Barry-Wehmiller - a $2.5 billion global manufacturing business with 11,000 team members - is a sterling example of this leadership approach. He devised a strategy, known as Truly Human Leadership, that transformed the work culture. He focused on bringing out the best in people through respect, trust, communication as well as responsible freedom, which in turn raised the company’s reputation in the market and led to almost 90 successful business acquisitions since inception.Similarly, James Sinegal, co-founder and former CEO of US-based Costco put employees at the forefront of his business model. With the foundation based on solid values and ethics, he ensured that employees were generously compensated for their contributions to the organization, such that Costco became well-known in the retail industry for its high wages and opportunities for personal and career growth, which led to high employee retention. Sinegal’s influential approach also played a role in raising Costco’s brand loyalty.I believe that anyone who takes care of people around them and inspires positive change in them is a leader. It’s important to remember that in a competitive world, human relationships are all we really have, and we need empathetic, humble leaders now more than ever. If you’re someone who embodies the ‘business is a human pursuit’ approach to entrepreneurship, stay on the path and you’ll find success on your own terms.For more Executive Insight, visit UASBlog
