How to Develop Business Leadership Skills

Business leadership, according to management guru Tom Peters in "The Circle of Innovation" is about a single concept: trust. Developing business leadership skills requires individuals to become good listeners, tacticians, strategists, and communicators. Effective leaders create results found rarely in business because many choose to manage rather than lead. Here are some simple steps to help you become one of the few, the proud, a leader.

Instructions

1. 

   Emulate Top Leaders

   Find successful business people and emulate them. Learn the skills that make them successful. John Callen, Jr., former Chairman and CEO of Ward Howell International says that leaders "have stature. They aren't afraid to make decisions. They got to the top by being flexible, unflappable, rolling with the punches, understanding change, reacting quickly to change, being willing to make mistakes and communicating both as a giver and a listener." Clearly, few are great at all of these skills. By emulating leaders you're more likely to take on those traits that you and your colleagues admire.

2. 

   Act Like A Leader

   Act like a leader. In her book "Lions Don't Need To Roar," author D.A. Benton noted that leaders command respect through stature. Non-leaders will walk and talk at the same time. Leaders, however, will pause, square shoulders to the room, and only then begin speaking. This simple tactic establishes the leader as "in charge" of the group.

3. 

   Dress Like A Leader

   Dress like a leader. Successful people dress well. "Dress is a powerful business tool," remarks Sherry Maysonave, author of "Casual Up." Follow the fashion trends of the leaders in your business field. What do they wear? Sadly, for some shallow people who can't see your obvious skills, you'll need to look the part before they'll believe you're worth following.

4. 

   Arrive Early For Work

   Show up early to work. Few actions impress coworkers more than the leader showing up for work early. Successful publicist Henry Rodgers wrote in "Rogers Rules For Success" that potential leaders who arrive at work early always impress him because he knows that "they have time to get their day organized and get more work done." Likewise, if the leader arrives early followers will feel his passion and may begin dedicating more time to important projects in the office.

5. 

   Read Leadership Books

   Read about leadership. Many good authors discuss effective leadership. Students of leadership techniques are able to quickly find tips to develop business leadership skills. Some books to launch your reading journey are listed in the references and resources sections below.

6. 

   Become An Effective Speaker

   Speak effectively. Leaders need to be able to clearly communicate directives, give advice, and dispense feedback to others. If your speaking skills need polish, join Toastmasters or take a Dale Carnegie course on effective speaking.

Tips & Warnings

• People like to work with a team player. Employees who are clearly only trying to impress the boss or degrade other employees may experience problems attaining leadership roles.

References

• "The Circle of Innovation: You Can't Shrink Your Way to Greatness"; Thomas J. Peters; 2000.
• "Casual Power: How to Power up Your Nonverbal Communication and Dress down for Success"; Sherry Maysonave; 1999.
• "Lions Don't Need to Roar: Using the Leadership Power of Professional Presence to Stand Out, Fit In, and Move Ahead"; D.A. Benton; 1993.
• "Rogers' Rules for Success"; Henry Rodgers; 1986.

Resources

• Toastmasters International
• Dale Carnegie Training