It can be argued that leadership is the most important factor in the success of a business.
Those that run and maintain a company set the tone for the entire culture within that company.
It is true, then, that finding good leadership is the most important factor in growing a business.
But finding the “it” qualities in a leadership candidate can be difficult.
So what are the qualities businesses should look for in leadership candidates?
We asked 17 top business professionals what they look for in leaders, and what they believe are a few of the more significant challenges leaders will face leading their companies in 2019.
Here is what they said…
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Scarlett Ong Rui Chern, Co-founder
Peerstachio, Inc.
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Inspiring.
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? They treat themselves superior from their employees and don’t relate to them which demotivates employees. Employees and leaders in the company should have a dynamic and relatable relationship in order to be productive in their work.
Learn more about Scarlett Ong Rui Chern, Co-founder
Sara Ross, VP – Global Private Equity Team
Ottawa Avenue Private Capital
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? One thing I look for in a leader is someone who can get the most out of the talents of each of their team members.
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? I think it is hard for people who are excellent at their craft to trust the next generation with something they have worked so hard to build and empower them to learn through taking risks and making mistakes.
Learn more about Sara Ross, VP – Global Private Equity Team
Bob Breitman, COO
PeriCertum, inc.
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Persistence/Resilience
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? I think that leaders often have trouble synthesizing multiple, often diverse, ideas to come up with out-of-the-box hybrid solutions. Once they have the idea, they often have trouble selling the solution to the organization.
Learn more about Bob Breitman, COO
Ashwin Puri, Analyst
Invest Detroit Ventures
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Rockstar communicator
Learn more about Ashwin Puri, Analyst
David Zoellner, CEO/CIO
Zoellner Whole Financial PLLC
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Creativity
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? Leaders of companies need to dismantle the corporate culture of climbing the corporate ladder over the backs of their peers.
A close friend of mine constantly complained of roadblocks to the ideas and how peers and managers reminded them of their place. Ray Dalio of Bridgewater has a better model where he encourages ideas to be challenged without retribution.
Learn more about David Zoellner, CEO/CIO
Sam Kain, CFO
Diversified Data Processing and Consulting, Inc.
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Native intelligence, that capacity to understand things quickly, often described as “street smarts.” No amount of academic training can provide that skill and not all highly intelligent people (IQ measured) possess it.
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? Willingness to make difficult decisions and then to acknowledge a mistake and change course as needed.
Learn more about Sam Kain, CFO
Jonathan Polter, CEO
PawnGuru
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Persistence/Resilience
Learn more about Jonathan Polter, CEO
Edward Hightower, Managing Director
Motoring Ventures LLC
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Integrity
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? Some leaders fail to focus on doing what is best for the customer.
Learn more about Edward Hightower, Managing Director
Pranav Sood, CEO
Trellis
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Curiosity
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? It is difficult to balance limited resources, whether it’s hiring or budgeting. Once you have your resources, then it’s getting everyone on the same page and operating like an owner.
Learn more about Pranav Sood, CEO
David Levy, President
Utica Leaseco, LLC
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Vision
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? The ability to be both proactive and reactive in today’s fast moving business climate. To create a work environment that promotes creative approaches to problem solving and instills ownership of operational processes from the ground up.
Learn more about David Levy, President
Tim Hicks, Principal
TCH Consulting
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Awareness (of self and others)
Without awareness, a leader may miss important inputs that will guide their actions. This assumes a leader is faced with a challenging situation calling for them to adjust to changing conditions with nuance.
Learn more about Tim Hicks, Principal
Sheldon Stone, Partner
Amherst Partners, LLC
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Persistence/Resilience
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? Lack of willingness to address attitude/behavior issues with staff. This falls under the category of lack of accountability. It results in a deterioration of the culture of the organization.
Learn more about Sheldon Stone, Partner, Practice Leader Restructuring Advisory
Amad Elia, Managing Partner
Biotech Frontier Capital
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Persistence/Resilience
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? The challenge I see is that leaders are scared to be authentic, in terms of honesty towards employee performance, hiring practices and firing, sales etc.
Learn more about Amad Elia, Managing Partner
Yusuf Hai, Managing Director
CIG Capital Advisors
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Awareness
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? If one is aware, he/she can determine what they need to do before just doing it. Sometimes it will require patience, other times persistence.
At times, it may need further engagement/communication at others it might be better to sit tight. Engaging appropriately with all different types of people.
Learn more about Yusuf Hai, Managing Director
Mark Coffeen, Director U.S. Federal Taxes
Lear Corporation
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Persistence/Resilience
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? Leaders should show persistence/resilience in the pursuit of corporate goals and objectives. Not reacting quickly enough to external forces.
Learn more about Mark Coffeen, Director U.S. Federal Taxes
Rick Pulford, President
Corporate Strategies, Inc
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Rockstar communicator. Without it, most outcomes will likely be negative. All the other great traits listed, persistence, great communication skills et. al., are important but, without honesty and integrity above all, any endeavor is likely to be diminished.
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? It all goes back to having the right people in their correct organizational slot. With that accomplished, goals like sales will follow. This also means that people chosen are team players.
Learn more about Rick Pulford, President
Shalom Goldberg, CEO
United Detroit Properties
What is the top quality you look for in a leader? Awareness
What is a common challenge you see with leaders within a company? It all begins with Awareness. Without Awareness, communication and persistence won’t get you where you want to go. Firing someone as soon as they should be.
Learn more about Shalom Goldberg, CEO
Wrap Up
Finding the right leadership is a central factor in the growth and success of any business. The culture, efficiency, and productivity of a company will depend on the tone set by those at the top. Hopefully this guide will assist you in finding the right people, with the right qualities to take you and your business into 2019 and beyond.
PEAK Performance International
PEAK Performance International (PPI) partners with professionals to achieve extraordinary results. Through coaching, consulting and training, we provide the systems, tools, and support that empower our clients to achieve sustainable breakthroughs in their perspective and performance. PPI partners with our clients to achieve greater clarity of purpose and vision, authentic leadership, effective communication, improved teaming and culture,
Learn more about Peak Performance International here or schedule a complimentary call with us today – schedule a call today.
Make 2018 the Year You Invest in Yourself!
Are you tired of feeling like you…
- Barely scratch the surface of what you’re capable of?
- Waste time and end up stuck, stressed, and overwhelmed?
- Spend most days just reacting rather than being strategic?
Are you ready for more TIME, MONEY, and FOCUS in 2018?
Join me and other successful leaders and professionals for the 3-month Accelerated Edge Group Coaching Program, launching online on May 24, 2018. Webinars will be hosted twice a month with additional support available once a month during virtual “office hours.”
Get ready to learn how to get back over 200 hours per year of your time, so you can double your energy, focus, and stamina and finally…
- Create a personal and professional vision so you know who you are, where you want to go, and finally stop feeling lost and like you’re always playing from behind.
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Don’t look back in 2019 and regret that you lost another year without taking action.
Grab your spot before the program fills up!
Email me at [email protected] to learn more about the program.
Business Development is Relationship Development:
It’s about Them—NOT You!
by Marty Maddin
In a world where everyone is vying for attention and recognition, running around town shouting out why you and your firm are the best can be tempting. In many cases, you may be the most experienced, sophisticated or accomplished professional in a particular niche. The problem with the approach is that no one cares! That may seem a little harsh, but the reality is that people are interested in knowing what’s in it for them. Put another way, your prospects and clients need to be heard and understood first in order for them to trust you and to recognize that you may have something of value to offer them.
To that end, here are three tips to keep in mind when meeting with people:
- Talk less and listen more – When you think of rainmakers, do they tend to do more talking or listening? It’s a balance, but they lean heavily towards more listening than talking. If you are talking a lot, you have less time to connect with people and listen for their needs.
- “Ask” more than you “tell” – Successful rainmakers know that it’s in their best interest to do more asking than telling. By asking questions you invite people to open up, which is when you can learn more about them and their current opportunities and challenges. While they’re sharing, you have the opportunity to listen for their needs, which you may be able to help meet.
- Listen for opportunities to be helpful – Not surprisingly, the most successful business developers also tend to be the best connectors and “givers.” They listen for opportunities to make meaningful and beneficial connections to others in their network. They also listen for opportunities to be a helpful resource, without seeking anything in return.
Remember, business development is relationship development; and relationships are not meant to be one-sided or “efficient.” The more you make the relationship about “them,” the more success you’ll have in building connections that are value-based and that will lead to long-term, sustainable business growth.
