W. Patric Gregory, a business owner, on Business Leadership

In a previous article, I explored the best traits that successful business owners display day in and day out, but here are a few more attributes that will only improve your chances of ultimate success and fulfillment.

How do you stack up as a business leader?

Self-motivation
Ask a business owner why they’re a business owner, and the “I” word will quickly bubble up – independence! Everything’s on your terms – your goals, your priorities, your agenda, your schedule – with no one breathing down your neck. A blessing, right? Well… most seasoned business owners would say it’s also a curse.
With no one constantly pushing you to perform to your highest potential, you’ve got to be that person. And that takes resolve, especially when you’re physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.

In Stephen Covey’s classic, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit #1 is “Be proactive.” Self–motivation has to become habitual. Start by discovering self-motivation exercises you can work into your daily schedule. Find one that works well for you, and turn it into a habit that you can’t operate without.

Foresight
Urgency, immediacy and flexibility are obviously tantamount to the success of any growing venture. You need to be in the here-and-now to deal with whatever the day throws your way. But you also need to have a strong inclination of what’s to come.
Your service or product is likely in its infant stages at this point, and as a result, the future may seem far away. But it’s not. It will sneak up on you faster than you expect. That’s why you need to conceptualize your next move even if you don’t feel the urgency. To foster, and ensure, your continued success, do all you can to prepare yourself. The future, or much of it, is now.

Decisiveness
An indecisive business leader is rarely successful, regardless of the size or history of the business. By all means take the time to brainstorm ideas and solutions for your venture, but don’t let it leave you scatterbrained. Once you’ve defined your concept and outlined your plan, commit to them completely, and articulate how they’ll be realized, in vivid and compelling terms. If you’re not self-assured, you can’t motivate. If you can’t motivate, you can’t instill confidence. And only when you instill confidence in your workers will anything get done.

Accountability
The buck stops here. Every buck and every day. You’re the one who has to be accountable. You’re the mastermind of the business and tip of the spear. You embody its overall purpose. You rise and fall with its successes and failures.

With little to lose and everything to gain, you’ll want to stick up for yourself and stand your ground. But at the same time, beware narcissism and hubris. Admit when you’ve made a mistake or are unsure of a new idea. Going through the motions or laying off blame to someone else will only increase tension, interrupt stability and compromise your company’s ultimate wellbeing.

About the Author

W. Patric Gregory is an experienced business professional from Glastonbury, Connecticut. Patric currently serves as the owner and CEO of Highway Safety Corp, a company that has contributed to the highway construction industry for over 40 years. As leader of the company's senior management team, Patric is a seasoned strategist and innovator in his field.

To learn more about W. Patric Gregory, click here.