Most practice owners have a number of staff (or a hoard) and find themselves in the hot seat as the leader who is expected to know more and be better at everything than their staff. The irony is that the majority of practice owners have had zero management or leadership training and are winging it.
A practitioner recently said that his staff members are a reflection of himself as he is the limiting factor. He was referring to the fact that his own skills in running the practice are what is holding him and his team back. Is this something you would agree with in your own practice?
Here are some hot tips on being a great leader:
“Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It’s about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying the groundwork for others’ success, and then standing back and letting them shine.” Chris Hadfield
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams
“You have to think anyway, so why not think big?” Donald Trump
“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” Steve Jobs
“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It is about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire teammates and customers.” Robin S. Sharma
“I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.” Queen Elizabeth II
“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” Sam Walton
“Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” John C. Maxwell
“You don’t lead by hitting people over the head – that’s assault, not leadership.” Dwight Eisenhower
“Leadership is getting someone to do what they don’t want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve.” Tom Landry
There you go … hope some of these quotes inspired you to think in some new directions as the leader of your practice!
