Going “from good to great” is more than a rah-rah catchphrase. It can be a way of separating exceptional performance from that which is just acceptable. The most meaningful “good to great” descriptions are based on evidence, or real characteristics and actions that demonstrate excellence.
Yahoo Small Business tells business owners that there are definitive steps for taking their companies from good to great, and that transforming into “great” has everything to do with leadership. In other words, taking your business to new heights is on you. But no worries, you can do it by focusing on some core leadership skills and principles, according to Yahoo:
- Perspiration. Non-stop effort and learning—be relentless in knowing all you can.
- Vision. Make it clear, specific and unshakeable, even with failure and setbacks.
- Communication. Convey information clearly, often and sincerely. Get feedback continually.
- Collaboration. Teams and groups drive productivity and effectiveness with support and input.
- Decisiveness. Learn to make informed decisions quickly, calmly and confidently.
- Integrity. Employees respond to leaders who are candid, forthright, honest and fair.
- Inspiration. Talking and acting like a leader reassures others and calms doubts and anxieties.
Real estate mogul and Shark Tank panelist Barbara Corcoran has her own take on “good to great.” Drawing on the inextricable link between success and failure, Corcoran says her number one pick for rising to great is the ability to fail well. Which means being great at handling rejection, more rejection and more rejection still. And that leads to Corcoran’s additional must-dos for rising to greatness as a business owner/entrepreneur:
- Have irrational optimism that defies all logic
- Embrace, confront your fears
- Fake it until it’s real
- Leap first, think later
So, what if you’re having one of those days where you’re feeling you’re just not up for going from “good to great”—or ever will be? One way to get off dead center is to at least try to do a great thing or two. Forbes.com contributor and author Paul Brown has written about 17 ways to motivate yourself to do great things. Encountering obstacles is inevitable; but these will help boost you over the hump on your way to “great.” Read the list here, but click on the link above for the whole story!
- Necessity
- Quotes
- Your employees who are relying on you
- Your personal pride
- The thought that you might be changing the world (even in a small way)
- Other people who support you
- Prove others wrong (who said you won’t succeed!)
- Remember the alternatives
- Your legacy
- Momentum—it will elevate you in amazing ways
- Get a diagnosis, then make a plan to conquer it
- Visualize
- Exercise and think to raise your energy
- Learn from your mistakes
- Get out of your own way!
- “Keep score” of your accomplishments throughout the day
- Remember you are creating your own future
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The post Small business prescriptions for going from ‘good to great’ appeared first on Business Cash Advance.com.