Leadership Basics…10 Tips on Body Language

Leadership is all about connecting with others. Over the next few blogs, I will share with you some of my favorite tips on increasing your personal power. These are from Inside CRM editors at http://www.focus.com/:

BODY LANGUAGE - Like it or not, your body speaks volumes, even when you are silent. Here's how to express an attitude that's appropriate for a leader.

1. Stand tall. Keeping your shoulders back and holding yourself up to your full height will give you an air of confidence.

2. Take your hands out of your pockets. Putting your hands in your pockets is often seen as a sign that you have something to hide.

3. Stand with your arms crossed behind your back. This will help you adjust your posture, and it leaves your hands in a position that is open and not intimidating.

4. Make eye contact. Always look directly into the eyes of the people you are speaking with. This shows you're interested and also gives you a sense of confidence.

5. Sit up straight. Even if you're at an 8 a.m. meeting and feeling tired, it's important to sit up straight in your chair. Slouching makes you look disinterested and can give off an unwanted air of laziness.

6. Face the person you're talking to. This shows you are interested and engaged in the conversation.

7. Shake hands firmly. For many, a handshake is a reflection of the person you're shaking hands with. You don't want to come across as unsure or overbearing, so make sure yours is professional and confident.

8. Always smile. Smiles are contagious and will make others feel positive when you're around.

9. Look your best. You don't have to be model perfect every day, but you should dress appropriately and neatly. Clothes can have a big impact on the way you're perceived.

10. Walk confidently. Keep your head up and take even strides.

Motoring away from good business practices

When was the last time you bought or leased a car?  If it has been a while you are in for a wonderful surprise. 

Remember the days when the sales manager was unbearable?  Back then car sales people were the brunt of jokes – no one wanted to be associated with the industry and the mere thought of walking into a showroom made people cringe.

If anxiety sets in for you when it’s time to find a new vehicle, let me ease your mind.  Car sales people just don’t care about you anymore!  They do not follow up, will let you leave the dealership without a sale and enjoy letting you sit in the showroom for ridiculous periods of time while they…well, I’m not actually sure what they do when they disappear.

Over the past month my husband has lead the search for a new vehicle for me. And, experiencing the process is mind boggling to us.  As business owners, we believe in calling our customers back. We follow up. We respond to emails. We are respectful and honor all prospects and repeat clients. Obviously, we don’t sell cars.

So, when you want to lose loyal clients, make a poor impression on potential new business just follow top car dealers’ motto: ”If you want one of our cars, you’ll have to work for it.”

The next time you are in need of a car consider an auto broker. They work within your budget, offer suggestions that you hadn’t thought of and stay in touch with you.

Once your decision is made, they DELIVER the car to you!  Yes, folks, you don’t ever have to leave your house. The entire transaction takes about an hour – all being conducted in the comfort of your kitchen. 

If you are in South Florida, I will even give a contact – it is Holly Wright, President of Auto Source of America, Inc. She can be reached at 954-270-3987. I

As they say in the business…Happy Motoring!

Make your impressions count…in a good way.

Here are five simple ways to make a great impression with meeting someone for the first time and everytime.

1. Be early – not on time and certainly not late. Yet, if you are running late call the person to let them know – even if it is only 5 minutes.

2. Put your phone away – unless you are waiting for a very important call, don’t only put it on silent, put it away. When you are expecting a call, let the other person know. If it happens, excuse yourself and step away.

3. Don’t use inappropriate language – even damn or crap is unsuitable, much less any other four letter words.

4. Don’t talk negative about anyone – not your competitor, boss, colleague or client.

5. Spend half your time listening and the other half talking – relationships are not one sided.

That’s easy and simple, right?

Well, one would think so. But the last few times I have met someone for the first time, they missed at least 3 out of the five. Goes without saying their lasting impression is not favorable.

Make your impressions count…in a good way.

Have the simple pleasantries become a thing of the past?

How many times did you say "Please" and "Thank you" yesterday? Only when you felt it was deserved or every time you interacted with others? Have the simple pleasantries become a thing of the past?

As our society becomes more and more self-absorbed, we find less and less need to extend simple courtesies to one another. If we can't get the store clerk, waiter or ticket attendant to thank us for our business, we certainly can't expect a "Thanks" for opening a door, letting someone ahead in line or returning a dropped article to its owner.

Considering "Please" and "Thank you" were among some of the first words we were taught as a child, perhaps we should all go back to those days. The days when we said those two phrases all of the time because it was considered good manners - it was the right way to treat another.

Have the simple pleasantries become a thing of the past? Not if you start doing them again, with every memo or note that you write, every task or chore you assign and every customer you service. Yes, you can start today making a thing of the past come alive in the future.

Simple is easy. And easy always seems to get done.

This month our company, The Raven Group, Inc. celebrates 13 years in business. We are proud to have sustained the past couple of years and are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. So, I thought it would be timely to write about how we did it.

Yet, many of my readers are not business owners. My following is also comprised of executives, department heads, managers and individual contributors. As I thought about the course of action we followed to endure, I realized it applies to everyone.

Whether you are working at keeping your doors open, avoiding reductions in force or worrying about being laid off, these 5 simple, easy tips may be just what you are looking for.

1. Always have options
Keep changing and don't get stagnate
Create opportunities

2. Remedy poor performance

Work constantly at self-improvement
Decide early to release substandard performers

3. Have little and big goals in mind
Strive for something everyday
Focus on just one or two long-term goals

4. Remember time flies
Don’t delay making tough decisions
Make choices and follow through on them

5. Celebrate often
Recognize the smallest of wins

Show your appreciation

These five simple tips have kept our company and our sanity as business owners on course since 1998. They also play a big part of how we lead our personal lives as well.

They are simple.

But simple is easy. And easy always seems to get done.

Are you a Servant Centric Leader?

I am in the process of defining what it takes to be a really great leader. As I work through it, I have narrowed it down to 6 blended types of leadership; one of them being The Servant Centric Leader.

This individual focuses on being of service to others. People drive their interest. They like to please, gain great satisfaction from building relationships, and enjoy working in a team-based environment.

The benefit to this leadership style is their understanding of how to get things done through others. They are instinctively in tune with how people think and feel. The Servant Centric Leader not only comprehends the needs of their employees, but they have a good handle on customer requirements as well. This leader draws a big following, is dedicated to aiding others and well-liked.

Yet, as in my previous blog about The Solution Based Leader, The Servant Centric Leader has its challenges. Too often they let their desire to please get in the way of making tough calls. They find difficulty making sound business decisions that may encompass cutting back on benefits, shrinking expenses, and even downsizing.

Entrepreneurs that fit this leadership style may have suffered the past few years because of their struggle between declining sales and tightening spending. They often held off on making hard-hitting choices until it was too late. The internal struggle The Servant Centric Leader faces can sometimes be paralyzing.

As I move forward in my studies of great leadership, I am finding that one needs to play many roles to meet the call for greatness. I have named them The Kaleidoscope Leader: where their success is based on the success of others. They rely on a multi-faceted approach to leading others blending various techniques to reach personal victory.

The traits of The Service Centric Leader are absolutely necessary in this quest for triumph. Yet, as with anything, excessive behavior – even when it is centered on serving others - can also be damaging.

Keep your leadership in check and be mindful that you need to blend many skills and talents to be great.

Great problem solvers = great leaders? Not always…

One of the things successful Entrepreneurs and Corporate Executives have in common is their ability to produce results. They are problem solvers, goal oriented and bottom line driven. Give them a difficult situation and within a matter of minutes they will offer a solution.

I call these individuals Solution Based Leaders.

I like these people. They are competitive and driven. Once they focus on a target, they just keep moving forward until they reach victory. They keep their eye on the ball.

Yet as good as they sound, they have a problem. And it’s a big one.

They believe, consciously or subconsciously, they are the only one that can solve anything. They’ve lived their life counting on their personal productivity and find relying on others difficult. They feel they have the right answers – the understanding of exactly what path to follow when achieving goals. They rule others by giving direction, doweling out orders and prefer to be in control.

As a Sole Proprietor or a new Supervisor, Solutions Based Leadership is a must. It is a necessary practice and the first step to achievement.

The problem appears when the Entrepreneur starts hiring employees and the Supervisor moves up the ladder.

Throughout this growing period the Solutions Based Leader needs to move toward Servant Based Leadership in order to sustain success. They must learn the only way they can continue on their path to victory is now through the accomplishments of their staff. It is a change from having all of the answers to letting others find the way. It is done through trust, delegation and letting go.

Without this paradigm shift in leadership the Entrepreneur’s business will fail and the Corporate Executive will be demoted or lose their job.

I guarantee it.

Catch my next blog where I will explain the role of the Servant Based Leader.

By Leadership Expert Trudy Jean Evans - TrudyEvans@TheRavenGroupInc.com