Richard Branson's autobiography, Losing My Virginity, is a genuinely motivational read. His broad professional portfolio and his enthusiasm to rise to a challenge make him one of the most unique and significant entrepreneurs of our time. The world of Richard Branson may seem far removed from everyday working life — but many of the approaches he takes can be applied by anyone looking to achieve their own version of success. Here are five tips drawn from his approach.
1. Carry a Notebook
Branson's secret weapon is carrying an old-fashioned notebook with him everywhere he goes. If ideas are not written down, they could leave the mind before even leaving the room. Branson prefers putting pen to paper rather than finger to keyboard because a sheet of paper does not have tempting distractions to divert attention.
Writing things down acts as a prompt to drive change. When Branson took a flight and noticed that both he and other customers had no desire to use the routine hot towel that had been given on the flight, he made a note. When he was back in the office he read his observations to his team and had the hot towels changed to cold ones — a simple but effective example of how observation and note-taking can lead directly to improvement.
2. Have Fun
The driving factor behind all of Branson's business pursuits has been his desire to enjoy himself. As he has said: "A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts." Branson believes that it will not be possible to be truly successful unless there is genuine enjoyment in what is being done and time is allowed for fun. When he no longer enjoys a project, it is time to move on from it.
The question worth asking is whether there is genuine fun at work right now. If the answer is no, it may be time to re-evaluate — identifying where enjoyment can be reintroduced, whether through a new project, a new challenge, or simply a change of routine.
3. Persevere
Branson's journey to success has not always been a smooth one. In his autobiography he talks in detail about the legal case he brought against British Airways that threatened to put Virgin Atlantic out of business. He also talks about the early days, where he struggled to get his school magazine Student off the ground — describing standing in a phone box ringing up hundreds of companies trying to persuade them to advertise so that he could raise vital funds.
In those scenarios, instead of giving up, he persevered and chose to learn from his mistakes to guide him later in life. If he had not been so determined, would Virgin exist today? Perseverance in the face of setbacks is one of the defining characteristics of his success.
4. Be Visible
What good is a leader who is stuck behind a desk? Leading from an office alone is not leading. Branson makes it his business to get out and visit his employees as well as his customers.
His philosophy is to run large businesses in the same way as a small one — by being responsive and friendly. Both staff and customers are left feeling appreciated and valued as a result. People who feel appreciated demonstrate loyalty, work hard and ultimately contribute to profitability. This is impossible to achieve if the only contact with employees is through the occasional company newsletter or the annual Christmas party.
5. Listen
Listening makes people smarter. It is a simple statement, but one that is all too often overlooked. Nobody ever learned anything from listening to themselves speak. The only way to grow is by learning new things from other people.
Listening does take some effort — making sure the conditions are right takes deliberate action. Branson is a big advocate of switching off all devices, finding a comfortable spot and picking up a notebook and a cup of tea.
Many top employers provide listening skills training for their employees, and it is not surprising when considering that good listening skills can lead to better customer satisfaction, greater productivity with fewer mistakes, and increased sharing of information across a team.
How Professional Academy Supports Your Journey
Professional Academy offers a range of management and leadership qualifications as well as bespoke in-company training for those looking to develop their leadership skills. Whether working towards an accredited CMI Level 3 or CMI Level 7 qualification, Professional Academy supports learners with over 27 years of experience in professional development.
To find out which qualification is the right fit, use the Qualifications Navigator or book a call with an advisor today.
