My office this week was meant to be seaside in Seminyak, Bali. I haven't quite made it yet due to volcanic ash making conditions for flying unsafe. However, I’m still going to enjoy a couple of weeks of rest and rejuvenation and put down a few more thousand words of my next book – due for release early next year. It is also a time for me to just think, contemplate and prepare for the next few months. This holiday is also about readying – I actually meant to write reading – which I also will do – however, I’ll stick with readying as it describes perfectly the next step in my series of Leadership Presence blogs – that is E, which is to EVOLVE.
E could also stand for education, as it is the continuous learning and application of leadership traits will help you grow and evolve into your potential over time. Now I am not a “leadership” speaker as such, my topics of brand, image, presence and interpersonal communication are seen as “soft” skills. However, to me it is all about connection and those demonstrating excellence in these traits is a leader who connects with audiences and stands out.
Being the leader in my own business it is important for me to demonstrate leadership qualities which I do through continuous learning and application. I’m always reading business and self-improvement books and blogs which help me to continually improve.
One book I read as a teenager was Dale Carnegie’s breakthrough book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Published in 1936 it is credited as being one of the first self-help books written. It was one of the first manifestos on developing your potential and presence and its writings and philosophy are still practiced today.
To help you demonstrate executive presence and evolve as a leader I’m sharing a few favourite Dale Carnegie quotes.
You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
Talk to someone about themselves and they'll listen for hours.
The only way on earth to influence other people is to talk about what they want and show them how to get it.
Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, ‘I like you. You make me happy. I am glad to see you.
There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of a person as criticisms from superiors.
The world is full of people who are grabbing and self-seeking. So the rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.
He declared he never stepped in front of the footlights without first saying to himself over and over: "I love my audience. I love my audience.”
About 15 percent of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85 percent is due to skill in human engineering—to personality and the ability to lead people.
That is what every successful person loves: the game. The chance for self-expression. The chance to prove his or her worth, to excel, to win.
It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.
In my free eBook The Power of Personal Public Relations I write more about image and building your brand. Download your copy here.
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Read last week’s blog Determine Your Personal Brand Difference
Sue Currie is a personal branding specialist providing solutions to business owners and organisations to boost their image, renown, brand and business. She is the creator of the Shine Personal Branding System™ a process she uses to coach executives and entrepreneurs to progress in their careers. Sue is also the founder of Shine Academy™, providing professional development training. Through speaking, corporate workshops, and consulting, Sue helps businesses and individuals to stand out and shine.
