Success depends on how you get things right, and I know it’s never easy until you do it first, second or third time until you break through.

I have seen different types of leaders (i.e. Transactional and Charismatic/Transformational). I have also seen authoritative type of managers who fail to see through business success in people they manage. Your role and responsibilities must be equally aligned with your business mission and goals. This is a strategy that will define what kind of a leader or manager are you. Most people would assume position of leader-manager. There is nothing wrong with that.

But your leadership-management style must be one that encourages and institutes a sense of wanting to learn among your subordinates in order for them to become best at work. Enthusiastic leader/manager should be able to share his secret of success with his following. It does not matter what kind of business or sector you are in. At least you must be able to influence your subordinates towards desired out comes of business.

Adopt the culture which consists of core values that make certain everyone supports and identifies with what is expected of them to ensure business success. Your business culture and values must define what you do and how you do it to sustain your position in business environment. Surely you must know what keeps you going as a leader/manager. Your business core values must be shared by everyone, from-top-down, aligned with business purpose.

It is true that culture is not static, likewise you will have to be well aware of rapid trends in business environment which are likely to require some changes in the way you do business. You must therefore be able to review your business culture at some intervals.

A well informed leader/manager should be the one who has adopted principles of continuous learning, and share implications with subordinates to keep up with trends in the market. You will at some stage have to allow input from those ordinary employees whose opinions are normally shelved and less valued during restructuring periods in business.

It is very important to familiarise yourself with relevant legislation that regulate the type of business you are in, and be updated about routine amendments in some sections of relevant acts.

Human resource training and development, talent management and employment equity are now areas every business is required to include in their planning programs.

Proper staff allocation according to job descriptions will ensure job-fit which allows productivity and performance that contributes towards successful business. You must be able to match peoples’ skills and abilities with job or roles in which they can perform at their optimum best.

Another aspect is the management of diverse workforce. In an environment where people work in teams, you must be able to encourage respect, tolerance and openness among team members. Of course this must well be encouraged by adopted values in your business. Encourage people to take lead and suggest ways to improve performance. Establish proper incentive program which is understood by everyone. As a leader/manager you must influence a sense of entrepreneurship among your employees, and motivate them to take ownership through every corner of their performance at work.

Be able to identify individuals with talent to take business to the next level. This is not always easy as some might feel left out or sidelined. You must avoid and deal with any speculations of favouritism as this might lead to unnecessary workplace disputes. Explain to your employees why things are done in way they are, and allow them opportunity to respond and share how they feel. To minimise risk of dealing with less motivated personnel, you must involve everyone in the establishment of incentive programme, and afford them the opportunity to reflect to what really motivates them at work.

Your customers (buyers, suppliers, etc.) should not be left out. These are people who support you. Keep tight close relationship with them. Align Customer Relationship Management strategy with business values, operation and systems.

A successful business will have routine customer satisfaction surveys in order to assess how customers feel about services.

Findings may be sour because one unhappy customer is likely to spread the word about just how bad he was treated/serviced. But there is always a room for improvement.

Paki Zandile is a registered HR practitioner CEO of Phaphama Services Email:paki@phaphamaservices.co.za

Cell 083 594 7094