People who have 'compelling personas' around them have four important characteristics. Leaders must develop these characteristics to be a person of influence, a person who improves the atmosphere in the organisation and helps people get along with each other.
Those four main qualities are:
- Purpose - Purpose people act as catalytic forces, the organising principle for everything that is done.
You can apply the principle of purpose by assessing the dynamics of the group you are working with and deciding if people need a push to get a project completed. If they do, help them organise the project, give them mini-deadlines for completion, and hold them to a final deadline. Urge them to give the project 110% effort and to finish on time. You will fill them with purpose.
- Integrity - The integrity-based person is the moral conscience of us all.
There are times when members of a group wait for someone to speak up and voice an opinion on the side of integrity and honour. If you do this, you will gain respect and be applauded.
The other benefit of living honestly and having integrity is that people will know they can trust you. This is perhaps the greatest people skill of all and means that you will be able to influence anyone around you.
- Charisma - The charismatic person lives life. They give life 110% and fill the world with sunshine.
Nobody likes to be around a negative person. To increase your people skills, put on a smile and when you are asked how you are doing, reply with "Terrific!" not, "Well, I guess I'll live". Be enthusiastic and optimistic about life and your rating as a people person will go sky high.
- Collaboration - Individuals from the collaborative collection seek to build win-win solutions for everyone so the organisation does not suffer.
They have a gentle touch about them. This is the final way to increase your people skills: be calm and have a gentle touch. Accept people as they are. Listen to their concerns and problems. This is all it takes to have them view you as a hero.
Be more effective
If you want to be more effective, choose one trait to develop more fully in the next month. One word of caution: don't choose the one that comes the most naturally to you, but choose the one that will stretch you the most.
Author Credits
Karla Brandau, CSP, is an expert in change, leadership and team building in the flat world. She offers keynotes and workshops to move your organisation forward. Sign up for her monthly newsletter, ‘From the Desk of Karla Brandau’ and download free articles by going to
www.KarlaBrandau.com. Contact Karla at 770-923-0883 for a free consultation or to check the availability of dates to bring Karla to your organisation.