Effective leadership skills are essential. Today’s world is a fast-paced, hyper-competitive, and increasingly technology driven; one where leaders are few and far between. During tough times, people turn to strong leaders to guide them. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, many firms are increasing their investment in leadership training (leadership training online, in NYC, or in DC) to navigate through the current economic crisis. In order for leaders to be effective they must invest their time not only in their team, but in themselves. Image Consultant Michelle T. Sterling, Founder of Global Image Group, states that there are three things that leaders can keep in mind during these times.
“The best leaders are those who know how to manage both upward and downward. Effective managers must remember that people who are valued have presence charisma, charm, and most importantly, confidence. To be a strong leader means to exude executive presence.”
– MICHELLE T. STERLING, EXECUTIVE PRESENCE COACH
3 Tips for Effective Leadership Skills
Effective Leadership Skills Tip 1
The best leaders are those who know how to manage upward and downward. According to Michelle T. Sterling, the best leaders are team players. Rather than looking at the shortcomings of your team members, list goals that you want them to achieve. Once you have an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each individual employee, mentor them and nurture their growth. In the 13 Fatal Errors Managers Make and How You Can Avoid Them, W. Steven Brown states that “Every forward-looking manager recognizes that the greatest untapped resource within a company is its peoples’ potential.” He also suggests that new employees who receive leadership training online in a group environment with continuous one-on-one coaching and positive reinforcement of the desired behaviors succeed more. Just as you expect your employees to be accountable for their work, you must be personally accountable for your performance and manage it. This leads to the next important tip.
Effective Leadership Skills Tip 2
Valued employees have presence, charisma, charm, and most importantly, confidence. A strong leader has the emotional maturity to recognize his or her faults. Mr. Brown notes that, “One of the essential attributes of a good leader is enough self-confidence to be able to admit his own mistakes and know that they won’t ruin him.” You can only be confident in what you know for a fact. Once you exude confidence in your abilities and knowledge, others will have the same confidence in you – it’s a simple science.
As Michelle T. Sterling states, “Presence, charm, and charisma along with confidence are characteristics of a well-rounded professional.” It might sound like common sense, however being polite, developing good interpersonal skills and taking accountability for your actions are recognized and appreciated in both the business and social environments. People, particularly in business situations, develop confidence in leaders who are true to themselves and treat others with respect and appreciation.
Effective Leadership Skills Tip 3
To be a persuasive, productive leader means to exude executive presence. Executive presence combines image, communication, influence, behavior and authority to create a positive and memorable impression and impact in business situations. Your first impression should be your best impression, particularly since you only get one chance to make it.
“Another important aspect of executive presence is developing your own personal brand image,” states Michelle T. Sterling. “Create your own authentic brand that showcases your best attributes.” Also, when exuding executive presence, you must be reliable and trustworthy. As aforementioned, effective managers have to earn trust and credibility from their peers and employees. Inherent in executive presence is consistency and reliability. Employees can concentrate on their performance and meeting your expectations when there is clear, consistent communication and leadership.
Leadership Training Online
To learn more about effective leadership skills and improve your executive presence, register for Global Image Group’s Online Executive Presence Training for Executive Impact. This program uses an integrated approach to address the professional image and soft skills training management concerns of professionals worldwide. The benefit of attending our leadership training online is that you and your employees will be able to convey authority, credibility, confidence and competence in all business situations. Sharpen your leadership skills through training on self-promotion and positioning; hone your image management skills; and create a strong and lasting first impression.
Global Image Group offers additional corporate training programs that are designed to help your organization gain a competitive advantage through developing a unified corporate image and brand identity.
Global Image Group also offers one-on-one executive image consultant services and communication training designed to help you gain a competitive advantage through developing your executive brand identity.
Hello, I’m Michelle T. Sterling
I help individuals develop their leadership style and substance to stand out.
Founder of Global Image Group and an expert on image, impression and impact as well as executive presence, executive communications, and leadership skills.
YOUR executive image consultant & virtual STYLIST
