Entrepreneurs are the priests of hope

Most people won’t take risks unless the feel comfortable with the decision. You, on the other hand, as the entrepreneur are more comfortable with taking risks. So, if you want to take on employees you need to find a way to make them comfortable enough to take on the risks of your business.

Salary and perquisites are all standard asks, but what people really want is the feeling that they are belonging to something bigger than themselves. They want to feel that they are part of a group taking on the world. Most of all they want to buy in on the hope that this will all work out.

Without hope all your efforts will founder.

The best leaders give the group the courage to believe that the mission is possible. They then herd the group from behind and lead from the front as necessary to get through the tough times and come out the other side.

In my time in business I have met con artists and top entrepreneurs and I can tell you that they are generally the same, except for their intent. What they both do well is get people to suspend disbelief and give something a try.

I’d love to give you a definition of leadership but apparently after 30 years of studies of what makes a leader is that they are a person that other people are willing to follow.

The following are a few bits and pieces I have observed in common over the years:

1. Provide hope through a clear vision of where the company is heading.
2. Act and talk like the latest difficulty will be dealt with.
3. Find ways to solve problems, don’t just point them out.
4. Don’t be defeatist.
5. Be honest about problems facing the company, but also show how they can be overcome over time.
6. Unleash the potential of your people – delegate, encourage and then delegate even more.
7. Make sure the vision is about ultimately helping others, whether it is a better product, making customer’s life easier or helping those in need. Never make it just about the money.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – you live or die as a group.
9. Keep worry out of your face – as they say, stay calm and carry on.
10. Never ever panic in front of the troops.
11. Work on the most important issues and trust your people to mop up the smaller issues.
12. Encourage constructive dissent.
13. Take things a step at a time – if you try and do everything at once they won’t feel like they can keep up.
14. Find ways to bring in cash as soon as possible. This makes a big difference to your own morale and the way you treat people.
15. Don’t trash talk people – talk everyone up to the others, otherwise a culture can turn toxic overnight when things get tough.
16. If someone needs help, ask them what help they need and get their buy in to the solution. Just bringing in a new person to assist them without asking will not only upset them, but will also show everyone else that you don’t trust them.

Most of all, just believe in your people – that, more than anything will give them hope.