Many successful entrepreneurs are so busy growing their business that they neglect continued development for themselves and their teams.  However, it’s just common sense that the leadership skills you need when you run a $100K business are very different than when it’s $1M or $20M or higher.

The entrepreneurs I’ve worked with recognize this.  The first step is to become aware that there are some things that you don’t know that you don’t know!  Here are some places entrepreneurs can go for help:

  1. Professional associations – many offer different “tracks” of sessions at conferences.  Usually there’s one on leadership as well as the sessions on technical competency and advances in the field
  2. Local Chamber of Commerce – they often sponsor educational programming and speakers
  3. Mastermind groups – learn from the experience, wins and failures of others who are in the trenches just like you
  4. Online learning – LinkedIn learning, MOOCs, TedX talks, etc.
  5. Coaching – a coach brings the best practices, road map and tools that can help you exponentially develop in a way that’s customized to your strengths and preferences.
  6. Formal education – go for an MBA or a leadership certificate program.  You’ll learn from your fellow students’ experience and wisdom and expand your network which will help your business
  7. SCORE – an association of retired executives can mentor entrepreneurs on strategy and scaling the business
  8. The SBA and Women’s Business Development Center – they offer classes, programs and counsellors who can point entrepreneurs in the right direction for what they need most.

Hope those ideas are helpful!