Top level leaders - the resource your business cannot be without

No matter how brilliant your product may be, or how many funds you invest in business growth, without the support of talented leaders it will be almost impossible to turn your vision to reality and pursue your goals to the end.

Excellence-driven top-level leaders are key resources within your organisation. Finding them is certainly not easy, and once you do come across someone who matches your style, you will have to work hard to retain them.

What makes a great leader?

Although the terms leader and boss are sometimes used interchangeably, the two are not one and the same. Although both involve authority and a higher position within the company, the leader's influence is more critical to the company, bringing long term, sustainable development.

So how can you know if the candidate applying for a top-level position is a great leader? These are the qualities to look for:

• Relevant background in your field of activity, as well as experience in a similar leadership position.
• Ability to delegate. Delegating a task doesn't just mean passing it on to someone else. It means understanding the strengths of each particular team member, trusting their capabilities and assigning them tasks that they can do and that can help them grow. As Roland Reagan said: "The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things."
• An excellent communicator. Leaders need to understand your goals and communicate them to the team. They have to pass on instructions, understand constructive feedback, solve conflicts and be open to suggestions, and without excellent communication skills, this would not be possible.
• The ability to inspire others. A great leader is someone who boosts team productivity not by forcing employees to work or threatening them, but by raising their morale and setting an example. They know when to work hard and when to have fun, creating the perfect work environment.
• Empathy. A true leader knows employees, understand their feelings and cares about them. They know when to acknowledge one's success, when to let an error slide and when to address challenges without hurting anyone's feeling. It is this empathy that earns the team's respect and motivates them to be better, sometimes perhaps more than the pay check.
• Determination. A leader isn't someone who gets to work at 9 and passes the time until it's time to leave, nor someone who does the minimum amount of work. They are committed individuals who care about your goal as much as you do and who are willing to put effort into achieving it.
• Responsibility. Great leaders know that they are responsible for both success and failure and are not afraid to take the blame when a problem arises. A leader doesn't point the fingers. They are ready to admit when it's their fault and fix the situation calmly and without any conflict.

The importance of excellent leaders in a business

Not anyone can be a leader. You can be great manager, a perfect executor or a fantastic creator, but that doesn't mean you also have what it takes to lead people. For this, you need to start recruiting someone experienced and, if you find the right person, your organisation will gain many benefits:

Boost morale. When they have a positive attitude towards work, employees are more productive, they become better problem solvers and show increased performance. A leader knows how to motivate employees, even at times when the salary could be higher.

Create a bridge between management and employees. Without a leader, it's very hard to make sure that your employees understand your mission and strategic direction. A leader is the one who bridges the gap between the two, communicating management decisions and making sure employers understand their role in achieving them. In other words, a leader synchronises employee needs with organisational needs.

Drive growth. A top-level leader is one of the key contributors in driving business growth. Not only do they decide what resources employees need to deliver great performance, but also encourage them to constantly improve, to overcome their limits and help them follow the right direction.

How to retain a business leader

A great business leader is worth every effort. Once you find someone who understands your vision and gets alone with the team, you have show them that they are valued and that you cherish their contribution. Here are some ideas on how to retain executive talent.

Material compensation:

• A salary that matches their skills and bonuses when they exceed expectations
• A good pension scheme
• Extra perks such as a company car, a comprehensive health insurance plan and a gym membership
• Total or partial coverage for obtaining professional accreditation
• The possibility or working flexible hours or getting additional vacation days

Material benefits are the basis of an extensive rewards plan, but keep in mind that good pay is not the only thing that keeps a leader in an organisation, especially when it comes to top level executives for whom financial requirements are quite flexible. To retain talent and boost their loyalty, you also need to show your appreciation in a more personal way:

• Create a work environment that makes your leader feel secure and valued
• Be open and honest. Give feedback on their performance, communicate your future plans and listen to their input. Show them that you value their opinion and that they are a key player in your business' success.
• Acknowledge their achievements and praise them personally
• Ask for their feedback and truly listen to what they have to say
• Know when to push your team leader to challenge themselves and when to give them time to rest
• Offer them opportunities for growth – not just in terms of pay or advancement within the company, but also in terms of personal growth. The leader should always feel that they are working to be something more, not that they are stuck doing the same job over and over.