By Teresa M. Lundy<\/p>\n
October marks National Women\u2019s Small Business Month, a time to recognize the achievements, resilience, and economic impact of women entrepreneurs<\/a> across the country. But as we celebrate how far women-owned businesses have come, we should also talk about what it takes to keep them growing.<\/p>\n After 11 years in business and serving more than 200 clients at TML Communications<\/a>, one lesson has still been consistent: leadership requires persistence, consistency, and a commitment to continued learning.<\/p>\n Experience is valuable, but experience alone does not make us effective leaders. As our businesses grow, our leadership must grow with them.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s business environment is often described by the acronym VUCA: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. Entrepreneurs are navigating economic shifts, emerging technology, changing consumer expectations and workforce challenges. What worked five years ago, or even last year, may not be enough for what comes next.<\/p>\n That is why self-development is business development.<\/p>\n For me, continuing my education in leadership and business is about becoming a stronger decision-maker and building a stronger team. The higher you rise in leadership, the more your decisions affect others.<\/p>\n For small business owners ready to strengthen their executive leadership, here are four tools I believe can make a difference:<\/p>\n Create a personal leadership development plan<\/p>\n Identify two or three areas where you need to improve and establish measurable goals for the next six to 12 months.<\/p>\n Conduct a quarterly SWOT analysis<\/p>\n Assess your company\u2019s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Then ask the harder question: What must I do differently as the leader?<\/p>\n Build a personal advisory board<\/p>\n Surround yourself with mentors and professionals who will challenge your thinking, not simply agree with you.<\/p>\n Schedule a CEO Day<\/p>\n Set aside dedicated time each month to step away from daily operations and focus on strategy, finances, talent, opportunities, and the future of the organization.<\/p>\n There is humility in learning. Successful leaders must be willing to acknowledge that there is always more to understand.<\/p>\n At TML Communications, reaching 11 years is a milestone I am incredibly proud of, but I am equally focused on what we must learn to successfully navigate the next 11.<\/p>\n Leadership is not defined by having all the answers. It is defined by the persistence to keep going, the consistency to keep showing up and the discipline to keep learning.<\/p>\n When the leader grows, the team grows\u2014and the business grows.<\/p>\n Teresa M. Lundy<\/a>\u00a0is the principal and founder of\u00a0TML Communications<\/a>, the award-winning strategic public relations, crisis communications, and community engagement firm serving corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Follow Teresa on Twitter\u00a0@TeresaMLundy.\u00a0<\/p>\n