Recently, our EntreLeadership team introduced a new way to help business owners and leaders. Every two weeks, we are hosting a Live Chat, where I answer your questions for an hour. Our moderator is the incredible Branden O’Neil. If you didn’t get a chance to take part, here are some of the questions and answers.

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Guest: I’m at the bottom of the food chain at my company. Why do I need EntreLeadership?

CLo: You don’t if you want to stay at the bottom. Your goal should be to better yourself, even in the place you’re currently sitting in. If you want to be a better leader, the best way is to learn before you’re actually a leader. Spend the time now learning how to influence people, create change, inspire and actually run a business.

Lisa: You are so right, Chris. This is exactly where I am with my business right now.

CLo: People don’t realize they can actually lead UP. You totally can, but it starts with influence. Spend time becoming a person of influence, and you’ll become a leader no matter what seat you’re in.

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Liliana: How do you deal with ending a business relationship with a friend because it’s not good for your business?

CLo: Business relationships with friends are difficult. You always wonder where the line is. I can tell you how I look at it. I believe God has entrusted me with a business, and it’s my calling to make sure that I lead that business to glorify Him. Therefore, if ANY relationship is affecting what I’m supposed to be doing, I need to point it out and act accordingly.

You have to have the strength to look at a friend and say, “I’m sorry. This is God’s business. I want our friendship to stay a friendship, but I have a responsibility to Him on how I run this business.”

Branden: Chris, would you say it’s better for a relationship to be honest than to pretend like nothing is wrong? In my experience, it seems that dealing with situations is always the better way to go.

CLo: HECK yes!!! A lack of communication will destroy any business or relationship!!

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Jonathan Henry: Leaders are clearly tasked with “creating change.” A number of leaders are really good with dealing with external changes, like the economy, the government, but very few are good at dealing with internal changes, like employee culture and behaviors. How do leaders get better at promoting internal changes for the better?

CLo: It’s all about being intentional!! You have to make a decision that the company needs to go in a direction for the better, and then be extremely intentional about how to get there. If you want a culture that is all about recognizing people, you have to teach about it.

Then, you have to actually LIVE it day to day … theeeeen, you have to repeat it.

So many leaders think that all they have to do is tell the team how they want things and it will magically take place. That’s so not true. Be intentional and teach what you want in your culture.

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Question: What would your advice be to our excellent guests?