August is a busy month for me and for most businesses. It is also the month I celebrate my birthday and like to take a day or two off if I can. It is a while since I’ve had a holiday and am planning a longer break later in the year.
Having a break is important to rejuvenate and have time to just think, relax, contemplate and prepare for the following months.
I also like to read while on holiday, it could be fiction or non-fiction. You never know what new ideas might come up. Or what may evolve.
Which segues perfectly into 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 those demonstrating excellence in these traits is a leader who 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, blogs and listening to podcasts, 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.
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.
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.
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.
If you are satisfied with the results you are now getting, why change? If you are not satisfied, why not experiment?
Numerous books of course have been written over the years where you can learn more and apply to your own development.
If you would like to know more about my personal branding principles of NOOK, LOOK, HOOK 3 Steps to Build a Stand Out Personal Brand, sign up for my free video series here.
Sue Currie is a speaker and the author of IMPRESSario, Present and Promote the Star Within You. She is recognised as a leading authority on personal branding to boost image, profile, brand and business. Through her image management programs, workshops, consulting and keynote presentations, Sue helps businesses and entrepreneurs present an influential brand image.
