Your business leadership checklist

Great business leaders come in many different forms, from visionaries like Apple founder Steve Jobs to big personalities like Virgin’s Richard Branson and diversity champions such as former Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg.

A business leader should bring people together, have staff working towards a common goal, and keep people updated about where a company is heading. They should also keep staff energised in good times and bad.

While there’s no single secret to becoming a brilliant leader, there are steps you can take to develop a great culture, keep people inspired, and strengthen your relationship with your team.

Here are five ways to take your leadership to the next level:

1. Create a shared sense of purpose and be clear about where the business is going.

Explain your decision-making. Show how your actions benefit your employees and the business. Make sure you’re honest and have nothing to hide.

2. Always treat people fairly — give credit where it’s due and take responsibility when things go wrong.

Create a shared sense of purpose and be clear about where the business is going.

3. Accept you have a moral duty to everyone impacted by your business: your staff, their families and the community.

Business owners don’t operate in a bubble. Remember your actions will impact employees, their families, and the local area.

4. Motivate staff through continual development and learning, and help them flourish.

Encourage staff to upskill and learn more about their roles. That way you can boost employees’ self-esteem and add valuable new tools to your business.

5. Show trust in your staff and treat them with respect.

The more you can trust your employees, the more they will trust you and your leadership. Trust builds confidence, creativity, and high performance.

There is a wealth of resources available to help company owners fine-tune their management skills. Talk to your business adviser or accountant about options to enhance your leadership.

What is a mindset course, and how can it help my business?

Five ways to improve diversity in your business

​Mindset courses can help you develop the right psychological attitudes to achieve success in your field or industry. They’re all about cultivating the right mental and emotional attributes to achieve professional growth, overcome challenges, and maximise potential. Here’s what you’ll learn on a mindset course: Adopting a growth mindset You’ll learn all about adopting a growth mindset, the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. Teaching resilience Every company has its ups and downs. You’ll be taught how to bounce back and maintain a positive outlook on adversity. Developing confidence Self-confidence and self-belief are vital traits. A mindset course will encourage you to play to your strengths and back your own judgement. Enhancing emotional intelligence Developing emotional intelligence is key for anyone managing employees. Empathy and communication skills can go a long way in building strong team relationships. Mastering time management You’ll learn effective time management techniques to enhance productivity and avoid burnout, and how to use the latest digital tools to become more efficient in your line of business. Mindfulness and stress strategies Mindset courses often feature mindfulness practices to reduce stress and maintain mental clarity in high-pressure business scenarios. There are a number of NZ providers who offer mindset training to maximise business potential, while many accounting packages have a host of online mindset tools.

​Studies show that diversity and inclusion in the workplace can lead to better business results. Here are five ways to enhance diversity in your organisation: Cultivate an inclusive culture Employees should be encouraged to share ideas without fear of judgement. Create an open environment that celebrates different perspectives and backgrounds. Diverse recruitment strategies Introduce diverse recruitment strategies and host career events targeted at under-represented communities. Embrace blind candidate screening to eliminate unconscious biases. An inclusive leadership approach Diverse leaders bring varied experiences and viewpoints to the table, inspiring employees and signalling a commitment to inclusivity. Encourage employee resource groups Employee resource groups (ERGs) are internal committees of workers with shared identities, often minority or under-represented groups. Support the formation of ERGs and consult them on key employment decisions. Continuous education Embrace ongoing diversity training for employees to raise awareness of unconscious biases, and encourage open conversations. A well-informed workplace should result in a more empathetic, understanding, and happier environment.

Disclaimer: This publication has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms only. The publication should not be relied upon to provide specific information without also obtaining appropriate professional advice after detailed examination of your particular situation.