Entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in the world need to be the leaders, not just for their company but also in their community. Oprah Winfrey offers a great example. Forbes discussed how she started her rise to fame as a maid in Milwaukee, and was able to build her net worth to nearly 3 billion. Oprah wasn't raised to be a leader, but her endless work ethic got her to where she is today.

Being a great leader doesn't happen overnight. It requires entrepreneurs to create a long-term plan for the success of their business, while also flourishing in the first one, three and five years of their company. Business owners who are able to achieve longevity become leaders who matter. Use these tips from Inc. magazine to not only become a strong business owner with a thriving enterprise, but also to be a leader that has a lasting legacy.

Continue to think of ways to innovate
The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who are always looking for ways to improve their business and they are never satisfied with how things at their firm are going. While innovation needs to be something entrepreneurs are always doing, there must also be times set aside for long-term planning. Inc. magazine defines this as the "contemplation trigger." For example, if the company continues to grow, and it is becoming more difficult to manage the books, it may be wise to invest in business planning software. This is just one way entrepreneurs can improve their business while keeping their foot on the gas pedal at all times.

Don't be easily satisfied
Entrepreneurs should be able to enjoy short-term success or celebrate a big sale, but they must quickly get back to working on improving their company. The magazine calls this "instant gratification," and in today's business world it is easy to get amused by something that will mean little in the long run. The strongest leaders are the ones who are able to ignore instant gratification and continue to focus their time and money on more important things. Entrepreneurs can come up with great ideas that will be a starting point for the growth of their firm, but in many instances, it will require a great deal of time to ensure the business will be a continued success. This is something the best leaders are able to master.

Don't just tell, show
There have been millions of employees that have been frustrated with their bosses because they are told to do something a certain way and they are not shown an example. Entrepreneurs who are the best leaders will not only demonstrate how they want things to get done at their firm, but it will be the first impression they make on their staff members. Whether it is demonstrating how to treat customers, what the firm will look like in the next five to 10 years or how the company plans to bring in new clients, entrepreneurs who are strong leaders will be able to show their employees everything. Staff members who are properly shown how to carry out operations will prove to be more productive.

Being a strong leader isn't easy. In fact, it times a lot of time and effort, as well as years of training. However, following these tips will not only give entrepreneurs a great opportunity to be the head of a successful business, but it will also ensure that they will be thought of as a tremendous leader years down the road.

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