The interpretation of language can always be interesting. Words can mean different things to different people.  Words have different meanings at different times.

Let’s talk about the word, control.

In our society the word, control, has a negative connotation.  For example, in the news we often hear about how governments control various regulations. Or how certain companies control a particular segment of the marketplace.  Or how individuals do not like to be controlled by others.  Or perhaps you may hear someone retell a story where a certain person controlled the conversation. Some self-help gurus will tell you:  don’t try to control the situation.  Don’t try to control things in your life.  Just let things flow.

But that doesn’t work in business.

In business, the word control has a completely different meaning.  The meaning is in many ways similar to the word, leader. Are you surprised by the comparison of the two words?

Here are five examples of how being in control is good business leadership:

1) If you are not in control of your business, if you are not leading, there is a good chance you won’t gain the success you are looking for.  You need to continually create the company culture or vision that you see for your company.  You need to make sure that everyone that works for you understands what your vision is and is working to create that vision everyday so the company can be successful.

It’s not that you’re not willing to listen to someone’s ideas and rethink your position.  But if you are not in control of the direction of your company then business goals will not be met; the company will be unfocused and ultimately, unsuccessful.

The word control can be used in many ways.

2) Consider for a moment your sales force.  Your sales team needs to understand who the prospect is.  What message to deliver to customers.  Your sales people must represent the company well.  Without positive control, the sales force will be selling what they want to sell rather than what should be sold.  Before you know it, there will not be the right mix of profitable sales and profits will be down.

3) As a CEO, president or business owner, you need to control the work flow; as well as the employees doing the work.  Employees need to understand why they are doing what they are doing and also the time constraints involved.  How it all fits into the bigger picture.  Employees are the business.  If they don’t understand why they are doing what they are doing you could find yourself with a very unmotivated, unproductive company.

4) You need to control your potential client or customer.  Another way of saying it is that you need to educate the client or customer in how your comapny can help them in their quest to be successful and show them why they should do business with you.

5) Most importantly, you need to control yourself.  You always need to be on top of your game.  Have expectations of the people that work for you.  Have expectations of yourself.  Learn how to best communicate with your employees to motivate them, make them feel welcome and feel that your company is the kind of workplace they want to continue to work at.

There are many other examples that can be used about how control can be a positive business leadership strategy.  Just think about it.  Without leadership and positive control you will not get the results you are looking for in your business.

How do you incorporate positive control into your business leadership strategies at your company?