Leadership courses may not often talk about the elegant leader – and maybe that is part of the problem. We’ve all watch leaders who talk to much…thinking their way is getting into the heads of their audience; whether they are board, partners, staff, or customers. Imagine the differences when the elegant leader engages with that same group; the energy in the room changes. The key message can be the same – however it is in the delivery, the look and feel is different.

While it is easy to say a CEO, VP, Manager, Director, Team Lead have leadership responsibilities. Being a leader isn’t only about title. It isn’t their title that makes them a leader, it is their actions. You will find leaders in people whose titles may be CSR’s, accounting staff, sales staff, tellers, insurance advisors, farmers and many more. Sometimes they doubt their impact, they comment that they’re not leaders, or dismiss what impact they can have.

Flexibility
Does a ridged focus serve anyone well? It will alienate staff, customers and impact results. Flexibility takes effort, awareness and practice.

Courageous
Allowing your core values to direct your actions – whether you are fearful or not.

Honesty
People see thru the political response, communication with honesty is believable. It is what is critical for baseline communications. Without it, distrust prevails.

What feels like common sense and a basic foundation sometimes gets missed in busy lives and workplaces. Years ago, I heard a CEO remark that first you must give respect in order to receive respect. That line stuck with me but even more impactful was what he said and did. Here are the top five actions that you can do each and every day.