Many entrepreneurs make investments in their company but often forget to invest in themselves. As entrepreneurs in our organisations whether large or small, leadership skills are an essential part of our business toolbox, and luckily it is a skill that can be developed over time.If you’re an entrepreneur that doesn’t employ others – guess what?

You’ll be leading yourself as you run your business; and from time to time, you’ll be leading the people you do business with. Most successful entrepreneurs have either a mentor or a coach working with them; and if they’re really serious about their personal development, leading and interacting with others well, they’ll have one of each in place. When choosing a mentor or coach, choose wisely, preferably someone you trust and a person who is already doing what you aspire to do or become.

The traits of successful entrepreneurs

Over the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of working within sales, marketing, technical design, customer service, management and people development. Truly great entrepreneurs exhibit particular qualities that enable them to succeed and stand out from the crowd. The following are the qualities I’ve observed over and over again by successful entrepreneurs:

• Have clarity of vision with a narrow focus
• Are clear about their priorities and able to ask for help when necessary
• Make others around them feel powerful
• Expect the best results and don’t make excuses
• Don’t let their feelings impact on their performance
• Don’t take themselves too seriously and have fun
• Ask questions and they are not afraid to look stupid
• Have humility and are not haughty or full of themselves
• Have the ability to compare themselves with their potential rather than others
• Love winning and achieving beyond their specified target

You’ll have no doubt heard the expression ‘people do business with people’ and not only that they do business with people they know and like. So today’s successful entrepreneurs need to interact and do business with people in a way that is not only outstanding but also unique. ‘Unique? I hear you say, how can you expect me to do that?’ Well, don’t panic you are more equipped that you realise.

We are all unique in one way or another, and you can capitalise on this by investing in you. Spend some time developing the essential ingredients listed above. Your goal is to make an effective connection with your clients and the people that you work with. They want to get to know you, the person, not just your company.