Articles
9 February 2012

Have You Checked Your Leadership Skills Lately?

by Sarah Ryther Francom

09 February 2012—

 

In today’s volatile economy, many executives have lost focus on one fundamental

business skill: effective leadership. When was the last time you thought about

whether you are leading your company and employees effectively? Has your

leadership suffered during today’s tough times? Will your current leadership (or

lack thereof) adversely impact your company when the economy gets better? Is

anyone really following you?

But should leadership really be a priority when so many are struggling to keep

their companies out of the red? After all, today’s economy has left everyone—ranging

from the c-level team to support staff—scrambling just to get by. The answer is yes—

leadership should remain a priority whether times are good or bad.

Despite the variety of tasks that go into building a strong company, nothing is

possible without people. Your employees move your company forward; their

productivity and performance are key to your company’s short- and long-term

success. But to be productive and effective employees, they need a productive and

effective leader.

Most business owners understand leadership fundamentals—that your employees

count on you to guide their work and to ultimately build a stronger company. And the

fact of the matter is that most people want to be led. They want to know what they are

doing right, what they are doing wrong and how they can contribute to the company’s

overall success.

Though it may not be easy to admit, you likely know if you’re not an effective

leader. So how can you become one? In this issue of Utah Business, Assistant Editor

Candace Little goes beyond describing why strong leadership is vital to a company’s

continued success to what today’s executives can and should do to enhance their

leadership skills. Her article, “Get Back on the Rock,” takes an in-depth look at how

execs can get out of their leadership rut and build a better team and company. Little’s

article, found on page 34, takes leadership out of the office and focuses on building

you, the leader, first.

Though Utah’s unemployment rate remains at an unprecedented 7.2 percent,

there are signs that the economy is slowly improving. And studies indicate that

more than half of all employees plan to leave their current position once the

economy rebounds, many citing poor leadership as the primary motive for their

desire to jump ship.

If you’ve been neglecting your leadership skills, it’s time to get to work. After all,

how can you expect your employees to remain committed to you and your company

if that commitment isn’t reciprocated? It’s time to turn around and see if you really are

being followed—and to do something about it if you’re not.

 

From the Editor,

Sarah Ryther Francom

 


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