When you own a franchise, it isn’t only about being a business owner. It is about being a leader to your team, helping to motivate and inspire them to reach their own dreams within your company.
Do you know whether you have the right leadership skills to guide a franchise team? In this blog, I dive into what leadership skills are needed to help run a successful franchise.
Skills That Make a Leader
There are a number of meaningful skills needed to be an effective leader at any business, whether large or small:
You might not think about it much, but you need to have empathy to lead. There’s a saying that people don’t leave companies; they leave bosses. There’s a reason for that.
In order for employees to perform at their best, they need to feel like valued members of the team. That requires a certain level of understanding about what they’re experiencing, as well as a solid support system to help them navigate burnout and other mental health issues. This is especially important in the face of the pandemic, with more employees than ever experiencing excess stress and burnout.
It’s also important to maintain self-awareness as a leader. Take time to thoughtfully consider your weaknesses and strengths—where can you improve? You need to have an honest and comprehensive understanding of your abilities, and be willing to admit when you’ve misstepped or need assistance.
Your employees also need self-awareness in order to thrive, which is why it’s important for you to model the skill. When your team recognizes that you are willing to admit when you struggle, they will be much more likely to do the same.
Finally, you need resilience. If we’ve learned anything in the last two years, it’s that things happen and obstacles show their ugly head.
When crisis strikes, it’s important to maintain a positive mindset—and to quickly and strategically determine next steps. Your business will always need to evolve to align with changing customer needs, so change is a constant. Adapt and keep going!
I’m ready and waiting to help you find the best franchise for your unique needs! Get in touch today to get started.