When you think about someone who is a business success, what comes to mind?

Do you imagine someone who is generous with their time and resources or someone who is ruthless in their journey to power?

Both are approaches that can succeed, but the latter means improving the industry you are in, creating a more satisfying career for yourself, and building fulfilling relationships that can last a lifetime.

There is no single formula for success as a business leader, but the tips below can help.

Contents

Going to College

Getting the right education is the first important step. Think of terms of choosing a college that will help you reach the next stage of your ambition.

For example, if you hope to run a family business, you might want to go to school closer to home.

If you’re after a corner office in a Manhattan skyscraper, you might want to head for a university in the region so that you have internship opportunities close by.

Of course, the most important thing to consider is the program and whether you will be able to take the classes that you want to. Try not to let cost put you off.

There are likely to be many opportunities for financial help, including student loans that you can take out from a private lender.

These private loans often offer excellent interest rates and good repayment plans.

Your First Job

You may not stay long at the first company you work for after college, or you might be there for decades.

Whatever your initial ambitions are and how your first job measures up, you should be willing to work and eager to learn. Pay attention to office culture and adapt your behavior accordingly.

Have a positive attitude, and think about the professional persona that you want to create and maintain. Show that you are willing to take on extra projects and go beyond the call of duty.

As a Manager

Your first position as a manager can be challenging.

People are usually promoted into management positions because they are good at the job they are doing and not necessarily because they are good at supervising others.

However, this can be your chance to shine. Read some books on management. Think of yourself as more of a leader than the boss.

Find out what your team needs to succeed and make sure they have it. Don’t micromanage, but be willing to step in where you are needed.

Think about how you can bring out the best in the people who work for you.

Mentoring and Supporting Others

Being a mentor to others coming up behind you is one of the most rewarding roles that you can have as a business leader.

Keep in mind that while your role as a mentor is to encourage, it is also to help your mentees improve and reach their full potential.

This means developing the ability to give constructive criticism in a positive way. At the same time, listen to your mentee and keep in mind that their career path will be different from your own.

The Daily Buzz combines the pursuit of interesting and intriguing facts with the innate human desire to rank and list things. From stereotypical cat pictures to crazy facts about the universe, every thing is designed to help you kill time in the most efficient manner, all while giving you something to either laugh at or think about!