Owning a business isn’t just about chasing invoices, managing spreadsheets, or figuring out how to dodge HMRC’s wrath during tax season. It’s also about people. Real people, with real emotions, ambitions, problems—and they’re looking to you for direction.
Being a great leader and manager isn’t about barking orders or knowing everything. It’s about inspiring loyalty, building trust, and showing up consistently so that your staff isn’t just working for you—they’re working with you. Let’s unpack how you can step into that role and lead like someone worth following.
1. Set the Tone Before You Set the Targets
Be the Culture You Want to See
Your team is watching. Always. From the way you handle pressure to the way you treat the delivery driver—your behaviour sets the standard. If you want a respectful, motivated, hard-working team, you need to be all those things first.
Walk Your Talk
It’s not just what you say; it’s what you do. If you preach punctuality but waltz in at 10 am daily, expect eyes to roll. Consistency is the real authority. When your team sees that your words and actions line up, they’re far more likely to follow your lead.
Show Up with Vision
A strong leader knows where the ship is going—and communicates that. Your team should know what they’re working toward, why it matters, and what success looks like. A clear, exciting vision helps even the Monday morning blues feel worth it.
Stay Approachable
You can be the boss and still be human. Laugh. Ask about their weekend. Admit when you’ve messed up. If people feel they can talk to you, they’re more likely to bring up the small issues before they become massive headaches.
Reinforce the Why
It’s easy to get stuck in the daily grind. Remind your team why their work matters. Whether it’s changing lives, creating something beautiful, or just doing things better than the next guy—make the mission part of the rhythm.
2. Earn Loyalty, Don’t Demand It
Lead with Empathy
Every employee brings their own story to work. Maybe someone’s a new dad running on three hours of sleep. Maybe someone else is battling burnout. Understanding their human side makes you a more effective leader—and a better man, frankly.
Have Their Backs
When things go sideways (and they will), protect your team. Don’t throw people under the bus to save face. Instead, address issues internally and shield them externally. When staff know you’ve got their backs, they’ll give you their best.
Reward Effort, Not Just Results
Everyone loves a win. But effort counts too. Notice the extra hours, the clever fix, the quiet team player who’s always helping others. Recognition—even just a “well done, mate”—goes a long way in keeping morale high.
Be Fair, Not Favourable
Nothing destroys a team quicker than favouritism. Praise performance, not personalities. Promote based on merit, not mateship. Fairness builds trust, and trust is the bedrock of great leadership.
Build Careers, Not Just Roles
The best leaders think about where their team members want to go next. Offer training, mentorship, and challenges. Invest in their growth. They’ll appreciate you for it—and stick around longer.
3. Master the Art of Communication
Don’t Sugarcoat—Simplify
Straight talk doesn’t mean harsh talk. It means clear, honest communication. Skip the corporate fluff. Say what you mean in a way that’s easy to understand—and harder to misinterpret.
Listen Like It Matters (Because It Does)
Active listening is underrated. Don’t just wait for your turn to speak—really hear what your staff are saying. Their feedback, concerns, and ideas are gold, if you’re tuned in enough to catch them.
Make Time for 1-on-1s
Group meetings are great, but private conversations build trust. Schedule regular catch ups. Ask how they’re doing, what they need, and where they’re headed. It’s a simple way to show you value them.
Use Tools that Work for Humans
Stop drowning your staff in emails they won’t read. Use tools that actually fit how your team works. Whether it’s Slack, WhatsApp, Asana, or good old face-to-face, pick methods that streamline—not strangle—your communication.
Be Transparent About Business
You don’t need to share every spreadsheet, but giving your team insight into how the business is doing helps them feel included. Celebrate wins together. Face losses together. It builds unity.
4. Set Boundaries, Not Walls
Define Roles Clearly
A confused team is an inefficient one. Make sure everyone knows what’s expected of them, and what success looks like. Use clear job descriptions and, yes—employment contract templates that outline responsibilities properly. It sets the tone from day one and protects both parties in the long run.
Respect Work-Life Balance
Burnout is not a badge of honour. Don’t be that guy who emails staff at 11 pm and expects an answer. When you model healthy work boundaries, you give your team permission to do the same—and trust me, they’ll thank you for it.
Manage, Don’t Micromanage
You hired them for a reason. Let them do their job. Offer support, guidance, and correction when needed, but trust your team to deliver. Hovering kills creativity and kills morale faster.
Say “No” When Needed
Leadership sometimes means disappointing people. Whether it’s denying a raise you can’t afford or rejecting a poor idea, saying “no” is necessary. Just say it with clarity and kindness.
Hold People Accountable
No, you’re not their dad—but you are the boss. If someone’s consistently underperforming or poisoning the team dynamic, address it. Timely accountability protects your team and reinforces your standards.
5. Grow Yourself to Grow Your Business
Stay Humble
You don’t need to have all the answers. In fact, pretending you do makes you look insecure. Be open to learning—from your team, your competitors, and your mistakes. Humility opens doors, arrogance slams it shut.
Invest in Your Leadership Skills
Read books. Attend workshops. Find a mentor. Leadership is a skill set—treat it like one. The more you grow, the more effective you’ll be. And the better your team will perform because of it.
Surround Yourself with People Smarter Than You
A confident leader hires people who challenge him, not flatter him. Build a team of experts, creatives, and thinkers. Let their strengths complement yours—and don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know, what do you think?”
Take Breaks Before You Break
Leadership is demanding. If you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll burn out—and take the whole team with you. Step away sometimes. Rest, recharge, and return stronger.
Be the Example You Wish You Had
Think back to the best boss you ever had—or the worst. Be intentional about which one you’re becoming. Every choice you make, every meeting you run, every person you hire—it’s all shaping the leader you are.
Final Thoughts: Leading with Intent, Not Ego
At the end of the day, being a great leader and manager isn’t about titles or power. It’s about influence. The kind that’s earned through respect, consistency, and real connection.
Your staff doesn’t want a superhero. They want a human being who leads with purpose, listens with empathy, and acts with integrity.
So show up. Be that leader. And build a business worth following—one person, one conversation, and one decision at a time.
