Definition of a Leader
Leadership is certainly a virtue that is valuable and even critical across many facets of life,especially in franchising. Colin Powell, a former secretary of state, national security adviser and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is no stranger to leadership. Powell has spoken and written on the subject of leadership many times during his various positions in and after public service.
While Powell may not have been speaking directly to prospective franchisors, his key points are right on target. Let’s review Powell’s definition of a Leader:
1) Leaders exist to give followers what they need to get their job done. It is the followers who go into battle and accomplish the tasks assigned.
In franchising, the franchisor is the leader providing an easy-to-follow system for all franchisees to use and implement. “Just follow our proven system and you too will experience success.”
2) The most important part of leadership is instilling trust in those you command. If you have their trust, they will follow you anywhere. “Every human endeavor has leaders and followers, and your job as a leader is to inspire,” Powell said.
Franchisors lead a team of franchisees, who have bought into the system. Each franchisee is an independent business owner and is treated as such. As franchisees begin to see for themselves that the system works, trust is established. Loyalty follows and it is this loyalty that is powerful!
3) Leadership begins with goals. When the followers know what the goals are, everyone understands the importance of their own role for the common purpose.
The Franchisor is a visionary and everything done is for the good of the entire system, with the goal of making each franchisee successful. The Franchisor’s job is to provide a solid road map for its franchisees, resulting in happy customers, with the goal of becoming a household name.
4) People want to know that you are serving a greater purpose than just your own. “Increasingly, our people want to see leaders who are respected, leaders who are selfless,” Powell said.
Franchisors realize that their success comes from helping each franchisee succeed. In other words, speed of the team, speed of the leader. Franchisors must have a strong passion to teach, mentor and motivate their franchisees to strive for excellence.
5) Express appreciation. Make sure that those under your leadership understand that you appreciate their efforts.
Franchisors are cheerleaders with the goal of making every franchisee “a raving fan”. Franchisors constantly look for ways to recognize and reward their franchisees. They recognize that the success of their franchise system is measured by their worst performing franchisee.
6) Solve problems. A leader must recognize when someone or something is not performing well, to identify the source of the problem, and fix it.
Franchisor must be aware of what’s going on throughout their system, and is always wearing the hat of a problem-solver.
Who Do YOU Know That is a Leader?
You probably know several business owners who have many of these qualities, and some of them would make great Franchisors. (That someone may even be YOU!) They just need the right team, like The Franchise Maker, to help them get to the next level! Ask them, “Have you ever thought about franchising?” If they have an interest, then please send them to us and we will answer all their questions about the exciting world of Franchising!
