Top leadership advice from Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson is clearly one of the most prolific leaders in recent business history. After publishing a magazine at the age of 16, he has since owned hundreds of companies and is worth billions of dollars.

As a successful business leader, Sir Branson has a wealth of knowledge to pass on to the next generation of managers and entrepreneurs. And he’s happy to share it!

Branson has published many books and can often be found speaking to publications about his views regarding the top leadership skills.

New leaders can benefit a lot from learning more about management from the man recently named Britain’s most admired business leader over the past five decades, in a poll of top bosses run by The Sunday Times.

Here are three key leadership tips collected from his many interviews and articles:

Leadership is listening

Speaking to Forbes this month, Branson explained that listening is “one of the most important skills that anyone can have”. Listening enables you to learn from other people and from the industry.

The ability to open your mind to your team’s opinions will ensure that you don’t remain stuck in the status quo. Staying quiet and keeping your ear to the ground can help you to innovate and adapt to problems before they become issues.

A successful business is its people

Employees are not just a business resource, according to an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. In fact, they are the business.

“A successful business isn’t the product or service, its supply chain or its corporate culture: it is a group of people bound together by a common purpose and vision,” Branson explained.

It’s important to treat your team not just as an asset, but as the essential components to the success of your projects.

Have fun

One of the most common pieces of advice shared by Branson is to have fun. To ensure your team and customers feel the warmth of a happy and enthusiastic workplace, don’t forget to have fun and laugh.