Take Charge: Entrepreneurs never planned to be managers

In today's Short Talk episode Judith Germain speaks to Claudia D. Thompson about the leadership challenges faced by accidental business owners. Claudia introduced herself as a consultant who helps entrepreneurs who accidentally became bosses figure out how to lead their team without turning into someone they're not. She started her own consultancy called The Business Fabrik, and is originally from Germany but has been in the UK for 15 years.

Key Takeaways

• Claudia helps entrepreneurs who unexpectedly became bosses learn to lead authentically
• Key issues: imposter syndrome, overwhelm, losing motivation, difficulty delegating
• Employee engagement is crucial; only 21% of employees are engaged at work
• Motivating staff goes beyond pay - purpose, clear expectations, and growth opportunities are vital

In this conversation Claudia discussed strategies for motivating and engaging employees, emphasising the importance of helping them understand the bigger picture and their role in it. This includes setting clear expectations, providing growth opportunities, and recognising and appreciating their contributions. She noted that money is not the primary driver for most employees leaving their jobs.

Claudia identified three key behaviors bosses should avoid: 1) Avoiding tough conversations with employees, 2) Doing everything themselves instead of delegating, and 3) Blaming the team rather than self-reflecting on their own shortcomings.

You can find out more about our guest and today's episode in this Maverick Paradox Magazine article here.

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Maverick leadership is all about thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo. It's about having the courage to take risks and the confidence to lead in a way that is authentic and genuine.

But amplifying your influence as a leader isn't just about having a strong vision or a big personality. It's also about having the right leadership capability and being able to execute on your ideas and plans.

The consequences of not having the right level of influence as a leader can be significant. Without the ability to inspire and motivate others, you may struggle to achieve your goals and make a real impact.

How Influential Are you? Decode your leadership influence here.  

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