Small Business Today Magazine NOV 2014 EXHIBIT NETWORK | Page 14

EDITORIALFEATURE

How to Become and

Remain a Good Leader
By Rita Santamaria

S

ome leaders appear because they were fortunate enough
to work and learn from other leaders.  Leaders arrive from
developing a small business and over the years evolve into
fine leaders.  Some leaders emerged through life difficulties
and trying times.  There are common characteristics that leaders
should try to achieve.
The first thought that comes to mind is no one is perfect,
ever.  Leaders make mistakes and when that occurs within your
company’s leadership, the leader needs to admit the mistake.  It is
certainly a sobering act to do at times when the mistake was a big
one. Little mistakes are simple mistakes but if it’s a doozy of a mistake,
admit it, make the correction, and leave it alone.  Your associates will
think more of you, their leader, for being honest about your mistake.

12 SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE [ NOVEMBER 2014 ]

Loyalty to your colleagues, team, and staff is paramount.  You
should always go to bat for your employees, team members, or
associates.  When a negative comment is made about a member
of your group, the leader does not agree, the leader does not
gossip, the leader will go directly to the source and get facts.  If the
facts bear out that the team member has a deficiency, the leader
and team member will discuss it privately.  I’ve always believed in,
“critique privately, praise publicly” with staff.  If a team member
has a great suggestion or accomplishes a feat, credit is always given to the team member. The leader would never take credit for
something she did not accomplish.  The leader is generous with
“good work” comments.  Compliments made in public go a lot
further than those made in private.

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