Do you have the qualities for running a business?
Why do people want to start a business? Typically, the answer will be one or some of the following:
- I’ve got a great idea that will make money
- I want to manage my own time and have freedom
- I don’t want to be an employee anymore
- I think I can do a better job than the current provider
Do you ever hear people give the following reasons?:
- I want to be a leader
- I want to be an employer
- I want to solve awkward problems most days
- I want to support the economy
That second set of answers is the reality. It really is the reality – you may make money and, in time, you may get your freedom and I will discuss this in future blog posts. But ultimately, if your business is successful then you will definitely need to be a leader! Even if you’re a sole trader you will need to lead and guide your clients. If you become an employer then you will need to expend deliberate and conscious effort just setting an example everyday, in addition to all the employer responsibilities and headaches such as training, auditing, staff absences, sick leave, disciplinary proceedings etc!
If you cut corners then eventually standards will slip and the correct examples will not be set to others – your business will go bad!
And to be a leader and an employer, you will need integrity. If you don’t have integrity then eventually you’ll come unstuck because your product, services, employees and clients require consistent and persistent professional standards all the time! If you cut corners then eventually standards will slip and the correct examples will not be set to others – your business will go bad!
A businesspersons without integrity are the Del-Boys, rogues and back street wheeler-dealers. You won’t be able to bluff your way through for very long.
Here is a great example of what integrity is:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/supermarket-trolley-etiquette-could-test-your-tony-furniss/