By Sharon Pearson
Leadership is one of the most misunderstood qualities of people. I define leadership as the ability to lead and inspire a team and it's also the capacity to lead yourself through tough times, without pulling others around you into your story.
Leadership can be learned, and the first step is to get over ourselves. Leadership in its truest sense is service to others in such a way that they can achieve their own goals and dreams. What needs to be learned next is how to keep the great people you develop by being an even better leader.
I started The Coaching Institute from my bedroom, with a team of me. As the business grew and I took on an assistant, I had to learn management skills, which was very tough for me, because I have a strong controlfreak vein running through me.
The entrepreneurial side had to develop fast, to enable the business to expand so rapidly. Entrepreneurship is taking risks, and that is definitely something I like to do. The biggest innovations in a business move the business away from the pack. Everything we do aims to ensure we stay way ahead of any other businesses in our marketplace.
The biggest mistake any business owner can make would be going into business with a strong ability to do the practical hands-on thing, like being able to make great jewellery, and then not developing the muscle for marketing. All business is marketing. You are always selling, to your team, your clients and to the marketplace. Just because you have a talent for making great widgets does not mean you will have a great business.
I see so many coaches who are talented, and will always do what I call "belly to belly" coaching, and never learn to run a business where their income is derived from sources other than them being physically in the room. They are trapped – years of one-on-one coaching, and when they go on holiday, so does their income. This isn't a business, it's a hobby.
Sharon Pearson is the CEO of The Coaching Institute, Australia's most accredited Life and business coaching organisation. Visit www.thecoachinginstitute.com.au
