Startup Boardroom, Day Nine: The motivator

Kristi Hedges, executive coach, Washington D.C.

Entrepreneurs typically go into business because they are experts at a skill or trade. If they are successful and scale, the demand for their expertise is quickly eclipsed by a demand for their leadership ability. After all, you can outsource any part of your job except the leadership piece. Many business owners are slow to make this transition, and even fight against it. After all, they went into business to make more and work the way they want to, not deal with management headaches.

This is a grave mistake. It can take an enormous toll on the business. Small business owners must see themselves as leaders first, and apply themselves to that part of the job with a fierce dedication. As well as leading within, part of leadership is representing the company to the outside as well -- customers and the industry. Even when every bone in their body is saying," I just want to do the work," they need to keep themselves focused of "working on the business, versus in the business", as the book The E-Myth famously put it.

As a small business owner, everything starts with you -- the culture, energy, and drive of your entire organization. Embrace leadership, and give it the effort that got you out on your own in the first place.

Bio:
Kristi Hedges is a partner in Element North, a leadership development firm, as well as a professional executive coach. Kristi writes the monthly column "The Leadership Factor" for Entrepreneur.com. More about Kristi's work at www.elementnorth.com and www.thehedgescompany.com.