Leadership in business - driving into the future

Good leadership is fundamental to any successful business, and without it even a highly skilled team will struggle to be successful

17:03 08 April 2014

At its best, good leadership is about more than the individual business itself - it’s about contributing to the local community and even to the nation, strengthening the economy and communicating the kind of values that help others to achieve their full potential. Nurturing good leaders helps a country get ahead by providing the incisive edge and creative drive needed to make the most of emerging opportunities.

 

How leadership drives a business

 

Although, in a large business, not all employees may be in direct contact with the leader, good leadership makes every employee feel more secure, more certain of the direction the company is taking and more confident in his or her own abilities. It means that processes within the business run smoothly and staff members at every level know exactly what is expected of them. It also ensures that the business has a clear sense of direction, even though the heads of different departments may not always agree about what should be top priority. A good leader considers everyone’s concerns and provides the overarching vision necessary to make good decisions.

 

What makes a good leader?

 

There are many different qualities a leader needs but perhaps the most important is the ability to communicate well with people at all levels. Good listening skills make it possible to take in input from throughout the company, informally as well as through reports, so that everybody feels involved and consequently more loyal. A leader should combine this with honesty and integrity so that internal company operations are built on trust and people know they won’t be asked to make an effort that the leader wouldn’t also be prepared to make.

 

A good leader is confident and committed and always has faith in the organisation’s capacity to succeed, even when there are setbacks and it’s necessary to make hard decisions. Also important is a sense of humour, helping to buoy up the mood when times are tough and making it possible to cope with the stress that is inevitable even in the best of circumstances.

 

What business leaders can do for a country

 

As well as creating employment and economic growth, capable business leaders are important because of the inspirational role they play. They can also contribute to society in a more direct way, through philanthropic actions or by providing consultation to government, and often these various roles come together.

 

The African Leadership Academy is an institution dedicated to bringing out the best in potential new leaders from across the African continent, with a view to improving the futures of African nations. With leading businessmen like Tunde Folawiyo on the ALA Global Advisory Council, it’s well positioned to provide practical advice and inspiration to its students, who take courses in both entrepreneurial skills and African studies, facilitating an understanding that a great leader is also ready to serve.