What it is to be a leader by geoffrey byruch

W H AT I T I S T O B E A L E A D E R

BY GEOFFREY BYRUCH


John Quincy Adams once
said that, “if your actions
inspire others to dream
more, learn more, do more,
and become more, you are
a leader.” 



Having a great idea and
assembling a team to aid
you on your journey is the
first step in creating a
successful business.

But what happens when
you hit a bump in the road
and morale is down? What
if money is tight and the
stress levels are at an all
time high?


The ability to successfully
manage, inspire and
execute your ideas is what
will separate the dreamers

from the entrepreneurs.


As a leader, you will be required to make
difficult and sometimes emotional decisions.
Regardless of what happens, you need to
own it.


• The best leaders are those that

are able to control their emotions
and make their decisions with the
utmost reason and purpose.


Below, I have outlined some key qualities
that every good leader should possess.


A LEADER NEEDS
TO BE HONEST


• Transparency or honesty in the

workplace is one of the most important
qualities you can bring within the work
environment.
• This quality, often called company

ethics, inspires confidence and respect
within one another.
• Remember, you are responsible for a

team of people.
• Instilling these standards in the

beginning will provide a strong ethical
culture needed in any working
environment.
• Furthermore, discussing with your

workers the overall place of the
company allows them to see the value
of their work or what they can to push it
to the next level.


A LEADER NEEDS
TO BE ABLE TO
MANAGE


• In the broadest sense of the word, a leader is someone who brings people

together and guides them towards a common goal.
• Anyone can tell a group of people what to do. But to be effective, to be

understood, a leader needs to be able to delegate. The key to delegation is

identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your team and capitalizing on
them.
• This will not only improve the efficiency of the work, but also the culture of

the team. It does not mean that they should stay complacent with remedial
task.
• Rather, give them the opportunity to challenge themselves. The one person

that can ignite that type of passion is you.
• Furthermore, with delegating comes logistics. Organization within

management will play a large role with your job. Make sure that you have
your own systems set up so that the rest can follow.


A LEADER NEEDS TO BE
A B L E T O C O M M U N I C AT E


• A leader needs to be able to communicate to

every single person regardless of their position.

• Knowing what you want to accomplish may seem

clear in your head. But to others this can be a
different story.

• When you communicate, take into consideration

the perspective the individual. Make sure you are
able toe break down clearly and succinctly all of
the extreme points in order for you to accomplish
your goals.

• Many people want to see the end goal of their

work.

• Going back and revisiting the vision as a

motivator will be one of the most beneficial ways
of communicating and delegating a task.

• Last but not least, be cognizant of the individual.

There is a fine line between asking and telling
someone to do something. Make sure that you
are asking. Asking shows trust and understanding.
Telling shows micromanagement and devaluation.


A LEADER NEEDS
TO BE CONFIDENT


• Part of your job as a leader is to not

just put out the fires, but also
maintain the team morale.

• Remember, you are their leader.

You are the person that people look
to when things are going array.
• By staying calm, composed, and

confident you will be able to help
the team feel the same way.
• Furthermore, own every decision

even if they led to undesired
consequences. Your word should
be enough for your troops to trust
you.


A LEADER NEEDS
T O B E PA S S I O N AT E
AND COMMITTED


If you are expecting those around you to
work and produce at a high quality, you
are going to need to lead by example.
A lot of the work culture can be
impacted and cultivated simply by one
individual.

As a leader, your job is to an embodiment of
your vision. Your commitment to your work

needs to be scene each and every day.
Even when times are tough, it will be your
passion, your charisma, your magnetism that
will push everyone to the path of success.