Then there are the differing meanings of leadership. Are we talking thought leader, political leader, or the leader of the band?
For us who teach entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial culture, leadership is taking an enterprise from concept to cash. In other words, it’s creating a business and becoming an acquisition target, and setting a good example for your team to help you get there.
Here’s our short list on what it takes for that kind of leadership:
1. Sensitivity – The ability to see beyond the present. The ability to recognize opportunities. And the ability to imagine solutions to problems and look for answers.
Leaders recognize the limitations of their own skill set and allow others to take the lead to solve the technical and marketing problems. They have the humility to be open to the input of others who have more experience in the space they will be venturing into.
Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.
Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.
They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.
Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.
To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.
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