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If I were a startup

Written by: Frank Cianciulli

Article Overview: “I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers”. – Ralph Nader

If I were a startup

“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers”. – Ralph Nader

All politics aside, Ralph Nader’s words couldn’t be more accurate. Strong, effective and ethical leadership is something that’s becoming harder and harder to find. We live in an age where notorious leaders like former Enron chief Kenneth Lay and notorious TYCO leader L. Dennis Kozlowski are the mainstream leaders that are making headlines. Combined with a society that’s given instant gratification for pretty much anything we want, it’s breeding a younger generation with a sense of entitlement.

Since starting Enunciate Conferencing almost five years ago, I’ve looked far and wide to build a team around me with other like-minded, driven and engaged individuals who will themselves become strong, true leaders that will learn from Enunciate’s example. I’ve learned that it’s up to me, as a leader, to cultivate these traits; it’s up to me to lead by example and to mold our future leaders. I’ve risen to the occasion and the success Enunciate has seen since its inception is a true testament on how this strategy has worked for us.

The key things for any leader to remember, success comes from drive and example and respectable, constructive leadership fosters drive in your staff. As an innovator and a leader, my vision is what drives our company, but it’s up to the whole team to support that vision and carry it out. It’s up to me and my management team to motivate our staff; to show our clients, our community and our colleagues our commitment to their needs.

The best way to cultivate drive in your staff is to mentor. Mentorship is the probability of success. Allowing a professional relationship to grow with familiarity and trust increases the odds of success. It provides a protégé the wisdom of experience and it allows strong leaders the opportunity to create a masterpiece from fresh canvas. Involving your staff in the decision-making process motivates your workforce to be enthusiastic about carrying out vision.

What made my start-up a success was my constant visionary passion. In organizations where there is a leader with great enthusiasm about a project, a trickle-down effect will occur. You must be committed to the work you are doing. If you do not communicate excitement, how can you expect your people to get worked up about it? Let your enthusiasm set the tone for the rest of your team.

The motive behind my success and any recognition I receive from it is to be a strong leader backed by proud employees. If I can cultivate this environment for other, like-minded and driven individuals, it only leads to success. If Enunciate can achieve the personal and financial success we have enjoyed over the last five years, imagine what we, as a team of strong, dedicated and effective leaders can achieve in the next thirty years.

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