bluesyemre

• observant: By being an active listener, you’ll be amazed what people are then comfortable telling you. pay attention to details and make it clear that you’re mindful. If someone gets a new haircut, compliment her and ask what prompted the change. If someone brings a new photo of a dog in, ask about the new addition to his family. It’s not just the big things that count, but all the little things that aggregate too.
• humble: When you’ve made a mistake, own up to it. Being willing to admit an error doesn’t make you as vulnerable as a lost cat but it does remove your “robot” label from your team members. Make sure you’re constantly striving to be a servant leader – a team’s success isn’t your glory moment, but is instead that of the people directly involved. Similarly, a team’s error comes back to you so blame shouldn’t be cast off.
• interested: Everyone has a hobby, just like everyone has a family, fears, and goals. There is a strong likelihood that someone in your office building shares your hobby. When you find him or her, bond over your similar passions for film, ongoing DIY project, cigars, or cooking gourmet desserts. By demonstrating that your life outside of work expands your horizon in a similar way as this other person, you’ve now deepened the connection that you have inside of work. Next time she sees a film she thinks you’ll like, she’s sure to turn to you with the recommendation. Likewise when you find a helpful hint in your basement remodel, a new exotic vendor for stogies, or a fabulous newly-released cookbook.
• nimble: You must be easily adaptable, end of discussion. If something isn’t ideal, be willing to change quickly. Find a better solution and don’t get bogged down by bureaucracy. If your team members perceive you as stodgy and unwilling to promote change, they will never approach you with a fresh idea. That unspoken thought could be the game-changer for your company and it’s your loss if it never surfaces.
• egalitarian: The truly authentic leaders develop connections with everyone around them, not just peers. Your boss and your intern deserve the same level of respect; this is easily generated by demonstrating an equal level of outward attention with everyone. Nobody likes a suck-up and nobody likes feeling they’re being talked down to, from above. When your office is an even playing field, led by your example, you’re sure to avoid any top-down or bottom-up concerns.

http://j.mp/18yffHw