Entrepreneurial Leadership and Power

There’s a misunderstanding about power by many new entrepreneurial leaders. They come by this view honestly.

Leaders are often depicted barking out orders. Willing subordinates eagerly jump at every bark. They run out and bring the ball back to the leader.

It doesn’t work that way anymore. Did it ever?

Maybe at one time – when people were relegated to a monotonous job, stamping out item after item.

All brawn, no brain. Just do, don’t think.

Success today comes from thinking and doing. You may need your people’s muscles too. But you definitely need their minds.

You need them to believe in you and your vision. You need them fully engaged. Then you’re powerful.

So one sign of power for an entrepreneurial leader is:

You don’t have to demand. You can ask.

You’re even more powerful if you don’t have to ask. They volunteer.

Real power isn’t about about squeezing every ounce of humanity out of your people. It’s not hand-to-hand combat. It’s not about conquering. It’s not warfare.

True power comes when you win hearts and minds. There’s an old saying that we just love, although we’re not sure of its origin. We keep it posted in our office so we see it every day.

Touch my mind – you have my thoughts.
Touch my heart – you have my love.
Touch my soul – you have my passion.
Touch all three and you have me.

Great entrepreneurial leaders appeal to all three. That’s how they get their voluntarily pushing to achieve the shared vision.

It’s because it’s more than a vision. It’s a cause. And it leads to BIGG success!

Image in this post from stock.xchng