We’ve all been there. We’ve all had a job where we were stuck working for someone that we weren’t necessarily fond of. Chances are, you probably weren’t their biggest fan because of their innate lack of ability to demonstrate proper leadership skills. Needless to say, it definitely takes a certain kind of person to run a successful business. Do you think you have what it takes? 

For those of you who have never owned a business before, let’s be clear: it’s not easy. If running a business was always gushy and mushy like melted cheese in a delicious Loaded Pierogi bowl, then everyone would be doing it. 

The reality is that every business owner needs to have strong leadership skills if they wish to succeed, regardless of  the industry. So without further ado, here are the leadership qualities we’re looking for in a future Loaded Pierogi Franchisee.

What does it mean to be a leader?

Before we get into it, let’s first clarify what leadership means. In of itself, leadership is simply the ability to influence and guide others in a positive way. Considering that we are all different people with our own perspectives, the ideologies behind what it means to be a leader will vary based on the person. Case in point, there's no definitive answer as to what leadership is. With that said, these five qualities are merely just what we think it takes to become a Loaded Pierogi franchise owner.

1. Clarity
   
   As it is with anything in life, no matter the manner, there’s always going to be upsides and downsides. Moreover, it’s human nature to want to be liked and accepted. In parallel, one of the worst parts about being a business owner is having to have tough conversations with your team. In the end, your business is your livelihood: no matter how much you may like someone or want to help them, you can’t allow certain rules to slide. In order to effectively set clear expectations in a healthy and professional manner, a leader has to have the ability to be transparent.

2. Decisiveness
   
   As your own boss, no one is there to tell you what to do. Therefore, a leader is someone who is a problem solver and not a problem finder. And while it’s okay to not know all of the answers at all times, a leader will demonstrate the confidence that they can, at the least, figure it out. 

3. Courage
   
   It’s human nature to not like change. Ironically, the only consistency in life is change. Whether it’s your first time trying something new, or even failing at something for the first time, a leader is not afraid to step out of their comfort zone. Afterall, being constantly comfortable inherently means that you’re not growing.
   
4. Passion
   
   When you think of the word boss, what do you think of? The primary difference between a boss and a leader is the amount of passion they have. A leader is able to understand and effectively explain why they do the things they do. A boss will simply tell people what to do, even at times where they may not understand the task themselves.
   
5. Humility
   
   Last but not least, the most important quality in a leader is humility. A leader is able to take responsibility for their actions without wallowing in their mistakes. Succinctly, a leader has a victor mentality as opposed to that of a victim.

Needless to say, there’s a lot of perks to being a business owner: there’s no one to tell you what to do, you get to make your own schedule, and you get to choose the kind of team you want to lead. The downside? You have to call the shots, even the tough ones. It is your responsibility to make sure that your store opens every day, on time, your food is always loaded with freshness and deliciousness; and your service exceptional. At the end of the day though, being a business owner is single-handedly one of the most rewarding jobs that anyone could have. Do you think you have what it takes? Check out our Loaded franchise opportunities!