How Can Business Owners Become Authentic Leaders?

By Razelle Janice Drescher

Business owners can become authentic leaders by connecting to their passion and inspiring others to join their vision. To be a leader who others want to follow, you have to be clear about the vision you have for your business and able to communicate it to others in a way that generates clarity, focus and enthusiasm. The owner has to know what he wants from his business to get the return on his investment of time and money. A healthy business needs a strong foundation. The business vision is the first step to empowering authentic leaders to live their passion. Then you have to do what it takes to make that happen in a way that sets you apart from your competition.

Authentic leadership starts with the basic building blocks. When all the necessary building blocks are in place, they become the strong foundation for a business that is poised for healthy day-to-day operation and growth. Without the basic building blocks, the business often just doesn’t work as well as it could. And if it does work well, it seems that the people dedicated to making it happen pay a high price in the form of frustration, disappointment or overwhelm.

Authentic leaders create a healthy business that gives the value they want from their business while providing a needed product or service, a good work environment and the desired quality of life and freedom.  As a business owner, you have to consider if your business operates well without you being the glue that holds it together.  Are you driving the business where you want it to go instead of being driven by the business? Is the business separate from you? Does it have an identity of its own, apart from you? A healthy business can reflect your leadership, values and high standards, but does not have to depend on you. 

The key for business owners to become authentic leaders is to connect with their passion and express it through their vision.  Authenticity draws people in and inspires others. Then the building blocks establish ways to treat people well and honor their efforts while getting the good results everyone is there to get. That’s a win/win! Too much life is spent in the workplace to accept anything less!