We can (and should) all demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities, no matter what level of education or experience we have obtained. Here are three characteristics that the best leaders exemplify, whether in the corporate world, at school, with a professional organization or within any chosen field or ministry:

Commitment to Excellence

Without commitment, there can be no success! Without commitment, tough times can pull you away to an easier path. Great leaders lead by example and build trust in those who work with them. Trust allows others to disagree when necessary and not just echo what everyone thinks the leader wants to hear. Although you must listen to, and respect, other’s opinions, that does not mean giving in or compromising your values. Great leaders INSPIRE those around them. The key is commitment!

Competence

You know you have the ability to get the job done. You are the confident leader who produces results. This applies to anyone–group leader, administrative staff, customer service representatives, managers–or whatever position you may hold.

Confidence

One major example of confidence is being secure enough to apologize when wrong. This shows you are a person of strength and instills confidence in others. People often need a confidence boost, and that boost increases their self-esteem. People tend to treat us the way we treat outselves, so speak and act with confidence! Great leaders are humble AND confident!

**Excerpt taken from Rita’s chapter in the international book, “Total Leadership for Men and Women.”**

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rita Rocker is a national inspirational and educational speaker, communications and image specialist, and a career and virtual presentations coach with Transformation Academy, LLC.  She is the author of “A Guide to Marketing Yourself for Success”, and a contributing author to “The Unstoppable Woman’s Guide to Emotional Well Being -The Total Woman in Leadership and Success Guide for the Unstoppable Entrepreneur.” She has appeared on national television and radio talk shows on self-esteem and communication. A former Mrs. Nebraska and active in numerous professional organizations, Rita is on the Board of the Small Business Association of the Midlands and co-director of greater Omaha’s Affiliated Women International. Rita provides life and career-transforming programs to mature teens and adults. Contact Rita at rita@transformationacademy.com.

There is no doubt about it! How you see yourself and believe others see you determines how successful you will become. Sit back and relax, grab some coffee, and answer the following questions:

• What messages do you give to your peers, superiors, friends and family? Are you projecting assertiveness or confusion? Excitement or indifference?
• Do your body signals say you are ineffective or authoritative?
• Are you confident in your social graces and in your personal and professional life? In male/female relationships? In your communication skills?

If you can’t answer “yes” to all of these questions, you can start implementing, new transformation techniques immediately for lasting results!!

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Enjoy the positive rapport and results that come from these easy and effective tips when working with external (and internal) customers:

• Check your body language, words and voice. Your non-verbal signals tell the real story of how you feel. Ensure that if your words are positive, the body and facial expressions are too. Tight fists or angry eyes with positive words will tell the listener that the message is not sincere or truthful.
• Shift your concentration and put the spotlight on the customer. This is a powerful way to break down barriers and gain cooperation.

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Today, more than ever, deals are sealed at the dining table.  If we are not comfortable doing business over a meal, we may be losing business.  Strength and making tough decisions ARE compatible with good manners.  Many executives and managers are well-educated, but not in social skills.  We might not be remembered for good manners but we will be for bad, so strive for etiquette that stands above the rest.  At business meals, it’s about BUSINESS. Remember WHY you are there. If you are hungry, have a protein bar or something light before the meal so you can concentrate on the business at hand.

When mixing lunch or dinner with business: 

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The job market is tough and if you’ve been unemployed for a while or looking to get into a whole new career area, it may be necessary to trade in the chronological resume for one that focuses on all of your awesome skills and experiences rather than previous job titles. A good example: when I worked in staffing, a farmer who was in his mid-40’s (I’m guessing) came in asking me if there was any hope for him getting into the business world after a life of farming. After asking several questions, we created a list of skills he was more than able to transfer to the business world: sales, marketing (of produce and cattle), computer (Excel, Word, Inventory software), bookkeeping, negotiations, time management and organizational, etc. We produced a very effective resume that showed he had excellent business skills and would do very well, particularly in an agricultural or industrial environment.

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Following is a continuation of the dialogue from my Clear Channel Radio interview on some powerful steps to greater career success:

4. Social media is all the rage and people are networking all over the world. What are some of the pro’s and con’s to someone’s career that you’ve seen happen because of social media? We are often judged by our actions “off” the job as well as on. Jobs (and clients) are gained and lost through social media sites. Prospective employers look at LinkedIn, Facebook and other sites to see what the person’s profile says and what kind of pictures they have posted. Time and time again, someone has been a strong candidate for a position until the employer looked at too many negative comments or photos on someone’s page. One young and talented woman was just about to be offered a promising career when a human resources manager saw her photo of a beer bottle stuck into a low-cut blouse. The company backed out. Others have been fired once word got out to management that this person made a bad representation through inappropriate comments or photos. On the other hand, when a person connects with individuals or groups from other companies on LinkedIn, they can build up a reputation for being a sharp business person. This is done by answering, or asking, questions related to their industry. Showing your knowledge and expertise through the discussions adds value and credibility.

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The following dialogue is from my Clear Channel Radio interview on powerful steps to take for greater career success:

1. What is the most important piece of advice you can give someone seeking a new career opportunity? Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. It’s all about them! They will make decisions according to your manner of speech, attitude, mannerisms, overall image (how you will represent them to the world), energy (positive, negative, high, low) and amount of enthusiasm (or lack thereof). Do you sound positive, tired, enthusiastic, effective, confident? You want to show you have the kind of drive, work ethic and sense of urgency to provide the best service? These are all qualities that can make people become raving fans of yours!

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The first impression is made in as little as seven seconds and includes your grooming, wardrobe and body language. These non-verbal signals comprise 55% of your communication skills and tell the interviewer if he/she would like to thoroughly discuss the position with you or quickly show you to the door.

• Poor grooming suggests disorganization, low self-image, lack of attention to detail, and possibly, sloppiness in your work. Positive, assertive body language and a firm handshake make a positive impression.
• Hair, makeup and finger nails must be neat and well groomed.
• Avoid chewing gum, smoking, drinking coffee, fidgeting or resting on your arm.
• Sit back and lean slightly forward with engaging eye contact. Purses belong on the floor.

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Many important business deals are conducted during functions outside of the 8-5 world. Doing business within a global economy requires that we pay attention to other customs and protocol, including our professional calling cards. Particularly in international circles, business cards explain our place in the corporate hierarchy, so our title should be clearly stated. Have plenty of cards but be choosy about giving them out to everyone in the room as unsolicited cards will usually go into the “circular file” in short order. Always offer your card facing them, so they can immediately read it.

One high-powered business woman shared this experience:

“I recently returned from an international conference of women executives where I met hundreds of women who own multimillion-dollar businesses. Naturally, I collected cards from several of them. Here’s the amazing thing I discovered about those cards: with the exception of two or three, they were all ‘same-old-same-old’. Why would these most successful individuals in the world have business cards that are as boring as a white wall?“

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Here’s a 2.5 minute audio that shows the power and importance of “wearing” self-confidence!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rita Rocker is a national inspirational and educational speaker, communications and image specialist, and a career and virtual presentations coach with Transformation Academy, LLC.  She is the author of “A Guide to Marketing Yourself for Success”, and a contributing author to “The Unstoppable Woman’s Guide to Emotional Well Being -The Total Woman in Leadership and Success Guide for the Unstoppable Entrepreneur.” She has appeared on national television and radio talk shows on self-esteem and communication. A former Mrs. Nebraska and active in numerous professional organizations, Rita is on the Board of the Small Business Association of the Midlands and co-director of greater Omaha’s Affiliated Women International. Rita provides life and career-transforming programs to mature teens and adults. Contact Rita at rita@transformationacademy.com.