What It Takes To Be a Leader
Being a leader. The prime position, the best in class, the one to beat. Sitting at the top of the heap is a good feeling, but it doesn’t just happen by chance. Whether born or bred, there are several things a leader can do to excel at their craft. At Cheyenne International, we take pride in being a leader in the tobacco industry, and our outstanding leadership team is a big reason why we’re continually driving forward. We sat down with some of our leaders to get insights into what makes them tick. If you’re looking to be a great leader or need some leadership inspiration, read on to see the consistent themes we heard from our group.
Be a People Person – Yep. Plain and simple. Having the ability to relate to others, understand, empathize and interact accordingly has greatly benefited our leadership team. Good leaders know that relationships mean everything in business and fostering those relationships is key. There is a wealth of knowledge out there on how to be a better people person so if you think you’re lacking in that arena, check out the internet for books, classes or blogs.
Have a Vision – How can you get where you’re going if you don’t know what it looks like? While you won’t have every detail of your vision nailed down, understanding the big picture is critical. Now you know why the question “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” is so popular in interviews. Being able to think ahead and envision your goals will help you be a leader versus being someone who simply goes along with the crowd.
Know your Stuff – This is a no-brainer. Understand your business, your competition, and your market. Being a leader is about more than just shelling out tasks. It’s about knowing what’s happening in the world around you and strategizing to succeed in that world. Even more, sharing knowledge with your team helps to promote your unified vision. As the age-old saying goes, Knowledge is Key!
Practice what you Preach – As a leader, you have many people looking up to you. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. If you set a standard, adhere to it. All of our leaders here were unanimous on this one. There are no short cuts to leading by example so it’s important to practice what you preach if you want to be a strong leader.
Leaders are Everywhere – CEO is not the only title of a leader. Take a good look at your company or department. You’ll find leaders at all levels. Ensure that you harness the power of those employees because leadership qualities are valuable in all facets. Continually look to your leaders, from top to bottom, to ensure your vision and knowledge is where it should be.
With these principles at the forefront of our business, we have achieved tremendous growth and success. Being a leader isn’t always easy and it certainly can be a bit messy sometimes, but putting in the effort to be a great leader pays off.
