TRAITS OF SUCCESSFUL LEADERS

�One of the risks companies make is growing because the market�s good,� says Freedland. �If you grow and your organization isn�t solid, you�re taking a huge risk.�

In his work with organizations, Freedland has noticed that ego-driven business owners and managers generally want their staff members to depend on them.  However, employees who completely depend on others for task instructions and permission to use company resources don�t bode well for the company�s staying power or its growth potential.

Good leaders realize that unmotivated employees won�t stick around very long.  That�s why they focus on populating their companies with dependable people.  They see to it that their employees are given responsibilities so that they can take ownership for the projects they work on, and conversely develop their skills and help the company grow.  Freedland calls this �building teams of excellence.�  Here�s how it�s done.

Recruit quality people.  �You must be trolling all the time,� says Freedland - even if you currently don�t have any open positions.  You need to have potential backup for your current employees, and you need to know where the great people are.

Train your employees.  If you don�t already have one, put a training system in place so you can get your new hires up and running as soon as possible.  Productivity and quality increase when employees know what is expected of them.  

Motivate you employees.  A paycheck is not motivation.  Help your employees achieve what they want to achieve professionally and, to some degree, in their personal lives.  That�s the ticket to motivating people.

Take care of your employees -and they�ll take care of you.  �They�ll do things for you that they wouldn�t do for others,� Freedland says.

Lead your employees.  This involves explaining the company vision, and making sure you have buy-in from your employees in everything you do to satisfy that vision.  Leading also involves goal setting and qualifying everyone�s role in meeting the goals.  If your employees are motivated, feel valued, and respect you as a leader, they�ll enthusiastically buy into the company vision and work hard to meet or exceed your company�s goals.

�Sure you�ve got to build good homes and get good financing,� Freedland says.  �But to protect yourself if the market turns, you�ve got to be a good leader.�

UNFORGETTABLE DATES

July 24^th HBAA Picnic at Delgrosso Park

Friday July 8^th the HBAA golf outing 

Saturday December 3^rd the Christmas Party