What Makes a Good Leader?
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What makes a good leader is often the first question asked on any management or leadership development programme. The real truth is nobody really knows.
It’s all a matter of perception and what people think you are capable of. The current US elections are a great example of the power of perception and how we can really impact what people think of us.
Apologies if I offend any of our American readers though I am sure I won’t.
Many researchers find it a challenge to come up with consistent traits of what a great leader “should” be like. This is a great shame because if they did it would be so easy to copy and save ourselves endless days of courses and time reading books that don’t make sense.
Though researchers may not have the answers Joe public often does. Including probably yourself and people in your organisation.
General traits are identified such as:
Vision
Confidence
Good communication skills (umh and interesting one!)
Courage
Decision makers (with the help of a few hundred aides)
Truthful and honest (lets side step that one)
The televised debates in the US are a great show ground to put out the best persona possible. This is where many decisions are made by the US Public. The message being even if your skills and talents may be a little underdeveloped at least you can look the part.
Act as if is a great and underused strategy. More of that in another post.
So as a sales manager new to your post what is your equivalent to a US debate.
Like the future US president you are always on display. So any interaction with your team. Including team and Company meetings along with of course one on one. Never miss an opportunity to demonstrate who you are and what you stand for.
The good news is that your values shine through you no matter what you do e.g. Honesty, integrity and consideration.
The even better news is that lot of the skills can be developed as well. Great communication skills, confidence, courage, and decision making are just a few that with
A desire to learn, some practise and application you will be able to excel at. This will shoot you up the ranks as someone your team perceive
That they can respect. Because guess what most sales managers don’t bother developing themselves at this level. Through no fault of their own they don’t realise how powerful some of these skills really are.
So what can you do now? Well make a list of your favourite top 5 leaders of all time (either in or out of your organisation)
Then write down what it is about them that inspires you. Then ask yourself:
So which of these do I have?
What would I really love to acquire?
Which are the skills I am already pretty good at and can develop even more ( Top tip great to start with these ones)
Comment on the blog and let us know the areas you want to work on for yourself and we will post some top tips to help?
To you and your teams success
Sharon
Popularity: 49% [?]
New Sales Managers: How to achieve your dream?
For those New sales managers working on their determination. Here is the result of Saturdays Britains got talent competition.
It has been a fascinating week on British TV.The public really do seem to have a say.
On the other side whilst George was winning. The New Nancy was also crowned. For Sir Andrew Lloyd Webbers production of Oliver.
The rise of programs such as this has really demonstrated how the human race really like to get behind their fellow man and woman. I don’t think supporting the supposed “underdog” is just a British thing either. My thoughts for what they are worth, is that we admire certain qualities in others.
Often ones we lack in ourselves.
Having an amazing thing happen to us and really living our dream is what we all want at quite a deep level. Saturday truly demonstrated that if you hold a vision and are totally determined great things do happen. More often than you think.
The conversation we have with ourselves are much more powerful than any we have with others. A true fact.
During the show most of the candidates where interviewed and it was very obvious who was going to win. Escala ( the amazing string quartet) where a great example of what dedication practise and talent can do. Though in their interview they already had a different vision ( possibly a contract with Mr Simon Cowell no doubt)
For young George he had convinced himself that people don’t get a second chance. He had so it was his one oppoprtunity and he was literally dancing for his life. Our minds and thoughts have such an amazing impact on us.
So what has that got to do with being a new sales manager in a recession? Well inspiration for one.
It actually doesn’t matter about the recession. Pick up any history book and you will read about the people that thrive in a recession and not just at the expense of other people.
It all starts with what you think about what you can do holding a vision and them moving into action.
No matter what industry you sell in, you will all know of certain teams and sales people that have achieved awe inspring results. Yes that could be you.
Mix a bit of belief with a vision, add a large spoonful of determination, move into action….and guess what just might happen?
To you and your teams success
Denise
Popularity: 50% [?]
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