What does a Start-up Leader do:

* You must kick butt. Pure and simple. You must think you are kicking butt and reaching your potential.

* Works at least 55 quality hours a week. That means one might have to work 70-80 hours/wk to get 55 quality hours.

* Be up-beat. Enthusiasm is contagious, but so is disdain. This person is always lifting the experience of those around.

* Fix problems. Don't complain. There are always problems and you have to be problem solving. See a problem, fix it. Work with the appropriate individuals to stop problems before they become big. Complaining about things does not do any good.

* Listens to others. Takes criticism from teammates and those from the outside. Listens to other ideas all the time.

* Network. Builds major network of outside sources. Brings to the company good outside sources, leads, help. Meets people from different places and tells them about company. Meet new people every week and get them to understand what the company is doing. Of course, you want the good people you meet to receive the company executive letter and other materials like that. Don't just network with your peers, network with everyone. Also, don't just network in a certain geographic or industry segment. And share this network with your team-members.

* Bring new talents to the team. If you bring exactly what other people bring then you do not add as much as you could. You want your talents to complement those of others on the team.

* Make whatever projects that are given to you the best that they can be. Excel at what you are already entrusted with.

* Don't be afraid to do hard work or tough work or grunt work. Nothing should be "beneath" you. Even if other people are not doing it -- you doing the work will earn respect and admiration from all.

* Be organized. Readily know where to access all information and have all your files organized. Be able to use that organization to provide information to others.

* Is a constant salesperson. Gets everyone they know to use the company's product. Get every company you know to be a client. When you go to a party you remind everyone about your company. You must be an evangelist 24/7.

* Think before acting. Must have a plan for the next month with what you are going to do and what you are going to accomplish. Even if it is not written out entirely -- it should be well known to you. Don't move into a new project without thinking about it first and planning it. Try to get feedback from others and see what they think. Then move with a plan and move decisively.

* Use, rely-on, and master your to-do list. Make internal deadlines for yourself and hit the deadlines. Don't leave the office until you meet your goals for the day. Hitting deadlines is key.

* If other people are counting on you, go the extra effort to get them what they need. Other people may be counting on you on a certain small or large project by a certain deadline. Understand exactly what they want and hit that deadline. Do everything in your power to give them what they need on time.

* Give thoughtful advice to others. If you are unsure of a certain strategy or you have suggestions, you can make your voice heard. But make sure everything is a suggestion and that they don't take it the wrong way. But be sure to give lots of criticism -- just make it constructive.

* You are front lines of the company -- so you must be 100% upbeat and professional. You must lead by example and you must let the people you manage know that it is not acceptable to not kick butt. You must show others from outside the company that this is a company to watch.

* Take personal matters into your own hands. If you are not kicking ass, it is your fault. If others are contributing to your lack of productivity then it is your mission to make sure that they improve as well. Don't blame others and don't give excuses or justifications for missing a deadline or not performing on a project. Just do it.

* Must earn other people's respect and trust. Respect is not a given based on title or seniority. It must be earned by everyone -- those above and below you in the organization.

* Don't step on other people's toes. Let people do their jobs but offer suggestions if they are not being done right.

* Understand your weaknesses and work on them.

* Be a role model for others in the company and beyond the company.

* Let people know what you are doing. The worst thing that a small company can do is do double work. You don't want two people working on the same thing. Also, you want people to understand what you are doing so that they can tailor what they are doing around your projects to well and create synergy.

* Use the fact that you have fewer resources to your advantage. Innovate. Don't do things the same way as every other company does them. Save money and time by doing things differently.

* Worry about the 90%. Worry about the big picture first. Then get to the details. If a document or a web site is not 100% perfect, c'est la vie. Work on the overall picture and perfection will follow. If you spend all your time on the little details, big things will never get done. Of course, you should still complete the details as well -- but you need a balance.

NOTE: Auren Hoffman works for BridgePath.com but the opinions expressed herein are solely those of Mr. Hoffman.

NOTE: You may reprint in full or in part (for free) with permission from author.

Auren Hoffman's bio can be found at:

(http://www.summation.net/hoffman.html)

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