<a href="http://www.ericschiffer.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/leadership_prop.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-159" alt="leadership_prop" src="http://www.ericschiffer.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/leadership_prop-410x616.jpg" width="410" height="616" /></a>

One of the most important pieces of being good at business is the importance of leadership. It was always a fuzzy word that never meant much to be when I was first starting out, because it was never clear-cut as to what it meant. Nor did I realize how much power it has to achieve goals!  Leadership is one of the most important skills that any current or future entrepreneur can master because it enables you to mobilize yourself and your people (employees, partners, vendors) to perform at far higher levels and accomplish far more in a sustainable, positive way with you.

To me, it breaks out into 5 key areas and each one has its own power:
<ol>
	<li><b>The goal of what you want done on both a macro and micro level</b>: For instance, with the macro, where do you want to lead people, what does the end look like? With the micro, what is the way for someone you are leading to fit into that via tasks you give them or specific projects, what is their level of readiness to achieve it, and their desire to achieve ? What is needed to get their readiness and desire to the highest level?</li>
	<li><b>Clarify the playing field</b>: Let people know what is in-bounds and out of bounds in behavior terms -- so they know how to win and also how to prevent losing.</li>
	<li><b>Emotionally Charged Leadership:</b>  The ability to have the sensory equity to know where people are at, and to shift with integrity to get them into a place to lead effectively both on a macro and micro level.</li>
	<li><b>Discipline:</b> Make sure when people are off on their behaviors or not following through that you clarify with them their reasons why and if it is because they are not giving enough them there must be consequences to this.</li>
	<li><b>Inspire:</b>  Make sure when they are doing the behaviors micro and macro you praise them at the time, and in doing reinforce the behaviors, this helps to keep them inspired and growing, and will give your relationship even greater traction.</li>
</ol>
The best way to <i>grow your leadership skills</i> now is to realize you are <strong>a leader</strong>, and <i>know </i>you can choose to become a great leader with practice and knowledge. <strong>When is the best time for you to begin or continue your journey to becoming a great leader?   </strong>

Tell me: What have you applied in your past from the five key leadership areas?

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