Where do you see yourself and your business in a year, 5 years, or even a decade from now? It might be tough to focus on the future when you’re neck deep in the operational tasks of today, but it’s a mistake not to. Set aside some time to think about what lies ahead.
Take a hard look at yourself and your business. What trends in the c-store industry will impact your role as a leader? How will you need to adjust your leadership style for a new generation of employees? Assessing your role as a leader will help you be the c-store manager of the future. Here are some steps to get you started:
Find the Right Leadership Resources
You know how to the run the operation, but what are you lacking to become a true leader? What do you need to achieve your leadership goals? Is your office so buried you can’t find the schedule? Do you struggle with one-on-one conversations or during presentations, training and workshops? Are you lost when it comes to forecasting costs? Pinpoint the specific areas where you need improvement – communication, organization, financial management, whatever – and seek out the training you need.
Make Goals… and Don’t Forget Them
If you don’t know how important it is to make goals, check out just about any motivational speaker. It’s a common theme — change doesn’t happen without specific goals. Make specific short-term and long-term goals, post them in your office, and study them every day. When you achieve one, celebrate your success and evaluate next steps.
Study the Greats
John C. Maxwell, Tom Peters, Tony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, Stephen R. Covey, Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill and George Clason are some of the top leadership writers, lecturers, and motivators in the United States. Their articles, books, and social media posts can truly help turn managers into leaders. Together with your own efforts, these greats can be motivators to keep you focused on the future. Within the c-store industry, look for events that bring together leaders with similar challenges and goals to your own, such as the annual NACS show and other national or local industry events.
